Box closure device

A box closure device having a first piece, a second piece, and a hub separating the first piece and second piece is provided. The first piece can have one or more engagement portions. The second piece can extend in both directions relative to the hub and is spaced from the first piece a selected amount allowing for box flaps to fit between the first piece and second piece. The second piece can have a blade to assist in positioning the closure device between the interior ends of two flaps. The second piece can also have a glide. In use, the user or a machine can engage the engagement portion(s) and twist the closure device so that the bottom piece is no longer aligned with a gap between the flaps thereby locking the flaps in a closed position. Sleeves and a tamper evident device can optionally be used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a box closure device, and in particular to a box closure device that can be twisted to lock box flaps in a closed position.

2. Description of the Related Art

Several methods of closing or sealing a box exist.

In one method, the corners of successive flaps are tucked under one another. While this may be a simple solution, it does not offer an effective seal and is subject to the limits of the box flap stiffness and integrity which can degrade over time and in particular when a corner is bent.

In another method, tape is used to seal the box. While this can be an effective sealing method, the tape is only a single-use product and its removal can lead to damage to the box.

In a further method, a device can be used to fasten or close the box. Several such devices exist.

None of the known devices have the unique advantages of the present invention. Thus, there exists a need for a box closure device with improved characteristics that solves these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A box closure device having a first piece, a second piece, and a hub separating the first piece and second piece is provided. The first piece can have one or more engagement portions. The second piece can extend in both directions relative to the hub and is spaced from the first piece a selected amount allowing for box flaps to fit between the top piece and bottom piece. The second piece can have a blade to assist in positioning the closure device between the interior ends of two flaps. The second piece can also have a glide. In use, the user or a machine can engage the engagement portion(s) and twist the closure device so that the bottom piece is no longer aligned with a gap between the flaps thereby locking the flaps in a closed position. Sleeves and a tamper evident device can optionally be used.

According to one advantage of the present invention, a second piece can have lower chamfers that together form a blade that aids in inserting the closure device between a gap between outer flaps of a box.

According to another advantage of the present invention, a second piece can have upper chamfers that together form a glide that aids in allowing the closure device to twist thereby positioning the outer flaps of a box between the first piece and second piece of the closure device.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the first piece can have a top surface that is a low-profile top surface. This prevents the closure device from interfering with the ability to stack closed and locked boxes.

According to a still further advantage of the present invention, the first piece has at least one engagement portion. The engagement portion can be formed with one or more ribs that can be selectably engaged by either a user or a tool. In another embodiment, the engagement portion can be at least one inwardly formed radial notch.

According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the closure device can be molded, assembled or otherwise formed.

According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, sleeves may be provided and are insertable onto sections of the second piece. The sleeves can have selected thicknesses whereby a given sleeve thickness can be chosen so there is a desired distance between the first piece and the outer perimeter of the sleeve.

According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the sleeves can be pliable whereby they conform to the outer dimensions of the second piece. This advantageously allows for some of the benefits of the second piece profile to be retained.

According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the sleeves can be made of a high friction material to enhance grip and to minimize risk of inadvertent rotation of the closure device resulting in unlocking.

According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the lock status is known even though the second piece is not directly observable by the user when inserted between the flaps.

According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, a tamper evident device can be provided. In such an embodiment, the top surface can be round and the tamper evident deice can be an arc that is located adjacent to the outer perimeter of the top surface. A seal can be affixed to both the tamper evident device and the closure device, wherein the seal breaks if the closure device is unlocked.

According to an advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first piece can have arms that pivot up to form handles. The handles are useful for locking and unlocking the device (by twisting the device). It is contemplated that the handles could also be used to lift a locked box.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the handles can lay flat about the perimeter of the first piece (in plane with the stationary surface) when not in use. This advantageously provides a low-profile device.

According to a still further advantage of the present invention, each arm can have an engagement portion (can be a cut-away section) that allows the user to engage the arms to move them from stored flat positions to upright positions.

According to a still further advantage of the present invention, in some embodiments the perimeter of the first piece is angled. In this regard, when in position to lock a box in a closed position, the angled perimeter allows an item that may come into contact with the closure device to slide over the closure device instead of dislodging the closure device.

According to a still further advantage of the present invention, an embodiment has a top engagement portion with fins that radially ran out from a center point. The fins can be radiused, which would allow an item that may come into contact with the closure device to slide over the closure device instead of dislodging the closure device.

Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention are useful to secure a box5in a closed position. An exemplary box5is illustrated inFIG. 46. The box5has a top10with outer flaps11and12, respectively. The outer flaps11and12are sometimes referred to as major flaps. The box5also has inner flaps that are sometimes referred to as minor flaps. In a closed position, the major flaps11and12are flat at the top10of the box and lie in planes parallel to each other. When closed, a gap13can be between the major flaps11and12. A bottom15is also provided and is similar in structure to the box top10. The box5further has sides20,21,22and23respectively. It is appreciated that the boxes for use with the present invention can be made of various materials (such as card board, plastic, or otherwise) and that the thicknesses of the parts (in particular, the flaps) of the box can vary without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

Turning now toFIGS. 1-6, it is seen that a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A closure device50has a top51and a bottom52. Device50has a first piece60, a second piece90and a hub80that interconnects the first and second pieces60and90, respectively. The device50can be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic or metal. Plastic parts can be made by any suitable method, including but not being limited to molding or 3D printing.

The first piece60has a top surface61and a bottom surface62. The first piece60has a perimeter63. The perimeter63is preferably circular in shape. However, it is appreciated that the perimeter63could have different shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. There are two engagement portions70and75, respectfully, that are provided on the first piece60. There could be more or fewer engagement portions without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Each engagement portion preferably has at least one slot formed into the top surface61. There are preferably multiple slots which form ribs there between. The two engagement portions70and75are located on opposite sides of the first piece.

The hub80has a first end81and a second end82.

The second piece90has a top91, a bottom92, a first side93, a second side94, a first end95and a second end96. The second piece90has upper chamfers100on the upper edges of sides93and94which together form a glide101. The second piece also has lower chamfers105on the bottom edges of sides93and94which together form a blade106. Blade106preferably has an edge where the two chamfers meet. The hub80contacts the second piece90generally equidistant between ends95and96, respectively, thereby bisecting the second piece90into a first section110and a second section120. The first section110and second section120are preferably equal in length. The first piece60, hub80and second piece90are preferably stationary with respect to each other.

Use of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 7-12. Looking atFIGS. 7 and 8, it is seen that the second piece90can be aligned with the gap13between flaps11and12. It is appreciated that the gap13can be wider or narrower in a given box. The blade106allows the second piece to penetrate the gap13even separating the flaps11and12when necessary if they are touching of if the gap13is narrower than the second piece. The second piece90is shown inserted through the gap inFIGS. 9 and 10. It is appreciated that the space130between the top91of the second piece90and the bottom surface62of the first piece60is similar to the thickness of flaps11and12. The glide101, formed of upper chamfers100, directs the flaps11and12to be received between the top piece60and bottom piece90when the closure device50is twisted to the locked position. The locked position is illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12. The glide is useful for both clockwise and counterclockwise twisting of the device50, and is effective if the flaps are bent, damaged or even slightly thicker than the space130between the first piece60and second piece90.

The device50locks the flaps11and12in the closed position when the flaps11and12are between the top piece60and bottom piece90. It is appreciated that the engagement portions70and75can lie on an engagement axis, and that the engagement axis can be perpendicular to a second piece longitudinal axis. It is appreciated that other axis relationships could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. However, with the preferred arrangement, a user is certain that the flaps11and12are locked when the first piece60is flush against the flaps11and12, and the engagement portions70and75are aligned with the gap13. It is appreciated that the lock status is observable even though the second piece is not directly observable by the user when inserted between the flaps11and12.

The engagement portions70can be gripped either by hand or with a tool. One suitable tool150is illustrated inFIGS. 13-16. The tool150has a top160with a handle161and a bottom170with grips171. There are preferably two grips171on opposite ends of the bottom170which can engage the slots of the engagement portions70and75of the first piece60of the closure device50. Twisting of the handle161will cause the device50to likewise twist.

Turning now toFIGS. 16 and 17, it is seen that a tamper evident device180is illustrated. The tamper evident device180has an arc185, which corresponds to an outer perimeter shape of a closure device first piece60. The arc185can be affixed to the top10of a box5with an adhesive, fastener or other suitable fixing method or device. A seal190can be affixed to the first piece60of the closure device50and to the arc185when the flaps11and12are in the locked position. The closure device50is preferably twisted to unlock the flaps11and12. Yet, rotation of the closure device50will break the seal190evidencing tampering of the closure device50. The seal can also be manually cut to evidence possible unlocking of the flaps. Further, as an additional alternative, one-stick tape could be used wherein an unlocking event would release the tape from a sealed position and the tape could not readily be reapplied in the original position without evidence of tampering. In a further alternative embodiment, the tamper evident device180can be made without an arc, wherein the seal can be connected directly to the box. Turning now toFIGS. 18-25, it is seen how sleeves200and205can be used with the closure device50so that the device can be used with thinner flaps. In use, sleeve200can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the first section110of the second piece90and sleeve205can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the second section120of the second piece90. The sleeves200and205conform to the external shape of the second piece90. A space210between the top outer surface of the sleeves200and205and the bottom surface62of the first piece is less than space130on account of the sleeve thickness. The sleeves200and205can be made of a high friction rubber or other material that aid in frictionally retaining a desired position of the closure device50.

Turning now toFIGS. 26-32, it is seen how sleeves220and225can be used with the closure device50so that the device can be used with even thinner flaps (compared to without sleeves or with sleeves200and205). In use, sleeve220can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the first section110of the second piece90and sleeve225can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the second section120of the second piece90. The sleeves220and225conform to the external shape of the second piece90. A space230between the top outer surface of the sleeves220and225and the bottom surface62of the first piece is less than space130on account of the sleeve thickness. The sleeves220and225can be made of a high friction rubber or other material that aid in frictionally retaining a desired position of the closure device50.

Turning now toFIGS. 33-34, it is seen that an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A closure device250has a top251and a bottom252. Device250has a first piece260, a second piece290and a hub280that interconnects the first and second pieces260and290, respectively. The device250can be made of any suitable material such as plastic.

The first piece260has a top surface261and a bottom surface262. The first piece260has a perimeter263. The perimeter263is preferably circular in shape. However, it is appreciated that the perimeter263could have different shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. There are two engagement portions270and275, respectfully, that are provided on the first piece260. There could be more or fewer engagement portions without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Each engagement portion preferably has at least one slot formed into the top surface261. There are preferably multiple slots which form ribs there between. The two engagement portions270and275are located on opposite sides of the first piece.

The hub280has a first end281and a second end282.

The second piece290has a top291, a bottom292, a first side293, a second side294, a first end295and a second end296. The second piece290preferably has a round cross-section. The hub280contacts the second piece290generally equidistant between ends295and296, respectively, thereby bisecting the second piece290into a first section310and a second section320. The first section310and second section320are preferably equal in length. The first piece260, hub280and second piece290are preferably stationary with respect to each other. The top291of the second piece290is spaced by a space330from the bottom surface262of the first piece260.

Use of closure device250is similar to the use of closure device50described above. The second piece290can be aligned with the gap13between flaps11and12. It is appreciated that the gap13can be wider or narrower in a given box. The second piece290, being round in cross-section, can smoothly pass between the flaps11and12even if the gap is narrower than the second piece290, as the second piece290can separate or push out the flaps11and12when necessary The shape of the second piece290also aids in gliding the device250to a locked position. The glide is useful for both clockwise and counterclockwise twisting of the device250, and is effective if the flaps are bent, damaged or even slightly thicker than the space330between the first piece260and second piece290.

The device250locks the flaps11and12in the closed position when the flaps11and12are between the first (top) piece260and second (bottom) piece290. It is appreciated that the engagement portions270and275can lie on an engagement axis, and that the engagement axis can be perpendicular to a second piece longitudinal axis. It is appreciated that other axis relationships could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. However, with the preferred arrangement, a user is certain that the flaps11and12are locked when the first piece60is flush against the flaps11and12, and the engagement portions270and275are aligned with the gap13. It is appreciated that the lock status is known even though the second piece is not directly observable by the user when inserted between the flaps11and12.

Turning now toFIGS. 35-38, it is seen how sleeves400and405can be used with the closure device250so that the device can be used with thinner flaps. In use, sleeve400can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the first section310of the second piece290and sleeve405can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the second section320of the second piece290. The sleeves400and405conform to the external shape of the second piece290. A space410between the top outer surface of the sleeves400and405and the bottom surface262of the first piece is less than space330on account of the sleeve thickness. The sleeves400and405can be made of a high friction rubber or other material that aid in frictionally retaining a desired position of the closure device250.

Turning now toFIGS. 39-42, it is seen how sleeves420and425can be used with the closure device250so that the device can be used with even thinner flaps (compared to without sleeves or with sleeves400and405). In use, sleeve420can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the first section310of the second piece290and sleeve425can be positioned (preferably slid) onto the second section320of the second piece290. The sleeves420and425conform to the external shape of the second piece290. A space430between the top outer surface of the sleeves420and425and the bottom surface262of the first piece is less than space330on account of the sleeve thickness. The sleeves420and425can be made of a high friction rubber or other material that aid in frictionally retaining a desired position of the closure device250.

Turning now toFIGS. 43-46, it is seen that a further alternative preferred embodiment of a closure device450is illustrated. The closure device450has a top451and a bottom452. Device450has a first piece460with a depending hub480, and a second piece490The device450can be made of any suitable material such as metal or another material that can be formed or bent.

The first piece460has a top surface461and a bottom surface462. The first piece460has a perimeter463. The perimeter463is preferably circular in shape. However, it is appreciated that the perimeter463could have different shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. There are two engagement portions470and475, respectfully, that are provided on the first piece460. There could be more or fewer engagement portions without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Each engagement portion470and475is preferably an inwardly oriented radial notch. The two engagement portions470and475are located on opposite sides of the first piece. The hub480has a first end481and a second end482. The hub480is preferably formed by bending the material at the first end481wherein the hub480lies in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a top surface plane. The hub480has a hub hole485located between the ends481and482. The hole485has a hole axis that is perpendicular to the hub plane.

The second piece490preferably has a round cross-section and has a first end495and a second end496. The second piece490is preferably made of two sections510and520, respectively. Section510has a threaded hole511formed into one end. Section520has a fastener (preferably a threaded protrusion)521extending from one end. The fastener521is extended through hub hole485and then threaded into threaded hole511of section510to secure the second piece490to the hub480, and also to the first piece460. The first section510and second section520are preferably equal in length. The first piece460, hub480and second piece490are preferably stationary with respect to each other when in use as a closure device. The top of the second piece490is spaced by a space530from the bottom surface462of the first piece460.

Use of closure device450is similar to the use of closure device250described above.

Looking now toFIGS. 47 and 48, it is seen that a further preferred embodiment of a closure device550of the present invention is illustrated. The closure device550has a top551and a bottom552. Device550has a first piece560, a hub (not shown) and a second piece590. The device can be made of any suitable material. One preferred material is plastic.

The first piece560has a stationary portion561with a surface. The stationary portion has protrusions562and563that extend from opposite sides of the stationary portion. The surface is preferably flat. A first arm565with and engagement portion566is provided. A second arm570with an engagement portion571is provided. The first arm565and second arm570are preferably connected (preferably integrally formed in a pivoting manner) with the protrusions562and563of the stationary portion561. The first arm565and second arm570can lay flat adjacent the outer perimeter of the stationary portion561. When in this position, the first piece is generally round with a perimeter575. The arms565and570can be engaged by undercut engagement portions566and571, respectively, to move the arms from flat positions to upright positions. When in full upright positions, the arms565and570are generally parallel to each other and both are generally perpendicular to a surface plane of the stationary portion561.

The hub interconnects the first piece560with a second piece590. The second piece590can be a blade or a rod (or other shape) without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

The user can twist the closure device550when the arms are in upright positions.

Turning now toFIGS. 49 and 50, it is seen that a further alternative embodiment of a closure device650of the present invention is illustrated. The closure device has a top651and a bottom652.

A first piece660is at the top651. The first piece660has a top surface661and a bottom surface662. The first piece660has an outer perimeter663, which is preferably angled. An engagement portion670is on the top surface661. The engagement portion preferably has four fins (671,672,673and674, respectively) that fan out radially (linearly in a radial direction) from a central point. It is appreciated that while four fins are shown, that there could be more or fewer without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. The fins are shown to be radiused, which advantageously allow an item that may come into contact with the closure device to slide over the closure device instead of dislodging the closure device. Yet, it is appreciated that the fins can have flat tops without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

A hub680with opposed ends681and682, separates the first piece660from a second piece690. The second piece690can be a rod having a first section691and second section692. The rod can be the same as embodiments described above.

It is appreciated that the invention can be made in any suitable method, including but not being limited to, molding and 3D printing.

It is appreciated that the hubs of the invention can by made to any suitable length or height to accommodate a multitude of box wall thicknesses.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a box closure device that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.