Collapsible box for holding articles in general

Abstract: There is disclosed a collapsible box for hold­ ing articles in general comprising a die-cut body (1), defining a central portion (2) on the perimeter of which there are provided folding side walls (3) which can be folded with respect to the central portion, there being moreover provided a substantially rigid frame member (10) which defines a seat (13) for engaging the free edges of the side walls so as to provide a box-like body.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a collapsible box for holding articles in general. As is known there are commercially available box-like structures which are conventionally used for holding articles of any types, and in which said articles are orderly arranged. These box-like structures are at present made starting from paper die-cut sheets, which are shaped according to complex patterns so as to allow the side faces to be coupled at corner portions. The coupling of the side faces or walls is usually performed by means of press buttons, rivets, staples and the like which, in a lot of cases, prevent the box from being collapsed as it is not used. Another drawback is that the mechanical strength of the mentioned known box-structures is very small since the coupling of the box parts is performed on regions of the paper material which can be easily broken. The document FR-A-2 102 115 discloses a collapsible box-like structure having substantially the features of the pre-characterizing part of the main claim. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a collapsible box-like structure, for holding articles in general, which can be assembled in a very reduced time, without the need of using assembling tools. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a box-like structure which is provided with a very great mechanical strength. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a collapsible box-like structure which can be made starting from a very simple die-cut element and which can be easily and quickly brought to a folded condition as it is not used. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a collapsible box-like structure which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a collapsible box-like structure for holding articles in general, having the features of the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description of a collapsible box-like body structure, for holding articles in general, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of the die-cut body provided for forming the box-like structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the die-cut body with its side-walls in a folded condition so as to form the box-like body; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a perimetrical frame member; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the assembled box-like body; Figure 5 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the corner, seen from the outside, of the mentioned frame, there being clearly illustrated latching means therefor; Figure 6 is a detail view showing the corner as seen from the inside; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling of said latching means to said die-cut body. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the box-like body according to the present invention, comprises a die-cut body, overally indicated at the reference number 1, which can be made of paper material, plastic material and the like, and which is provided with a central portion 2 which, advantageously, though not necessarily, has a rectangular shape. At the perimetrical edge of the mentioned portion 2 there are provided side walls, overally indicated at the reference number 3, which are coupled to the central portion by means of folding lines 4, adapted to allow the side walls 3 to be folded so as to be arranged perpendicularly to the laying plane of the central portion 2. The box-like body according to the invention further comprises a plastic material frame, of substantially rigid nature, which has been indicated overally at the reference number 10 and which has the same shape as the perimetrical edge of the central portion 2, said frame comprising an inner edge 11, spaced from an outer edge 12 which defines, in cooperation therewith, a seat 13 for engaging and housing therein the edge portions of the side walls 3. Advantageously, the inner edge 11 has a width greater than that of the edge 12 and is coupled to the edge 12 by means of portions 14 which are adapted to operate as stiffening elements. Moreover, the inner edge 11 is provided with coupling elements for coupling it to the die-cut body 1, said coupling elements comprising an engaging tooth member 15, defined on a resiliently collapsible tongue 17 in turn defined by lateral slots 18. Correspondingly, on the free edges of the side walls 3 there are formed cut-outs 20 which can be arranged at said portions 14, as well as windows 21 therein the tooth member 15 can be resiliently engaged. In order to assemble the box-like according to the invention, it will be sufficient to fold the side walls, as is shown in figure 2 and then engage the free edges in the frame 10, so as to cause said edges to abut in the seat 13. Moreover, the engagement of the tooth members 15 in the slots 21 provides a firm coupling of the frame 10 to the die-cut body, while affording the possibility of easily folding or collapsing the box-like body as it is not used. The provision of the rigid frame 10, as it should be apparent, is very important since it provides a great mechanical strength, in a very simple way, while facilitating the assembling of the box. In practicing the invention the used materials, though the best results have been obtained by the materials thereinabove mentioned, as well as the contingent size and shapes can be any according to requirements.

Claims: A collapsible box-like structure for holding articles in general, comprising a die-cut body (1), defining a central portion (2), with the perimeter of which there are associated folding side walls (3) which can be folded with respect to said central portion (2), a substantially rigid rectangular frame (10) having an inner edge (11) and an outer edge (12)defining therebetween a seat (13) for engaging therein the free edges of said side walls (3) in order to provide a box-like body, characterized in that said inner edge (11) has a width greater than that of said outer edge (12), and that said inner edge (11) and outer edge (12) are connected by stiffening separating portions (14). A box-like body structure, according to Claim 1, wherein said structure further comprises coupling means for coupling said frame (10) and die-cut body (1), characterized in that said coupling means comprise four tooth members (15) each of which is formed integrally with said frame near an end portion of each major side of said frame, each said tooth member (15) being formed on a resiliently collapsible tongue member (17) defined on said inner edge (11) by two lateral slots (18) each said tooth member (15) being adapted to be removably engaged in a window (21) correspondingly formed near the free edges of said side walls (3). A box-like body structure, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said free edges are provided with cutouts (20) which are arranged corresponding to said stiffening separating portions (14).

Inventors: GONELLA FEDERICO EVOLUZIONE S, GONELLA, FEDERICO, EVOLUZIONE S.R.L.
Applicants: EVOLUZIONE SRL, EVOLUZIONE S.R.L.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5