COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND A BLANK FOR MAKING SAID BOX

Abstract: A collapsible box, made from a blank of impermeable material, includes a bottom (F), head panels (T1, T2) and reinforcing tabs (X1, X2) of the head panels, with longitudinal folding lines lying in a box longitudinal symmetry plane. Straight and inclined folding lines extend from the symmetry plane and across the head panels. The folding lines allow the bottom (F), the head panels and tabs to fold inwards in the box until the box is collapsed.

Description: COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND A BLANK FOR MAKING SAID BOX FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a collapsible box and to a blank for making the collapsible box. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It is known that boxes are used for containing various articles, such as food stuff, e.g. fish, fruit, and/or vegetables . Known boxes are not liquid tight at bottom and also the sides and heads are not liquid tight in the regions close to the bottom. This fact is very disadvantageous in case the boxes are filled with wet articles or articles producing liquids. In fact, liquid substances can leak onto other boxes, situated below, on the articles contained therein, which, obviously is not acceptable, mainly because of hygienic requirements . Moreover, it is needed to reduce the boxes during the transport, storage and disposal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to propose a box made from impermeable material, which is considerably reduced when not used, and that is simple and easy to produce . Another object of the invention is to propose a box, which is collapsed to the minimum non-use configuration and opened to the use configuration without additional means and without the need of specialised operator. Yet further object of the present invention is to propose a box, which avoids leaking at the bottom and in the regions of the side panels and head panels adjacent to the bottom. Still a further object of the present invention is to propose a box, which obtains all the previous objects and is also very strong. The above mentioned objects are obtained in accordance with the contents of the claims, by means of a collapsible box including a rectangular bottom, longitudinal side panels hinged to said bottom by means of longitudinal creasing lines and first and second head panels articulated to the edges of the bottom along transversal creasing lines, with flaps journaled to said head panels along further creasing lines forming vertical edges of the head panels, said flaps being joined to adjacent portions of outer longitudinal surfaces of said side panels, said box further including: a first folding line extending along the longitudinal axis of said bottom thus defining two longitudinal flaps, that can rotate about said first folding line and towards the inside of the box; second and third straight folding lines extending from the extremities of the first folding line across the corresponding heads and lying in a vertical plane of symmetry of the box, thus defining in each head two semi- heads which can rotate toward each other and towards the inside of the box, about said second and third folding lines respectively; a first pair of straight, inclined folding lines extendmg from a transversal creasing line made between the bottom and said first head and converging upwards symmetrically with respect to said second folding line, thus defining a central portion and lateral portions in said first head for collapsing the same first head towards the inside of the box due to rotation of the central and lateral portions around the first pair of straight and inclined folding lines; a second pair of straight, inclined folding lines extending from a transversal creasing line made between the bottom and said second head and converging upwards symmetrically with respect to the third folding line, thus defining a central portion and lateral portions in said second head for collapsing the same second head towards the inside of the box due to rotation of the central and lateral portions around the second pair of straight and inclined folding lines; the longitudinal sides being caused to rotate toward the inside of the box, until the central portions of said first and second heads abut on said bottom. According to further feature of the invention, the box includes reinforcing tabs ournaled to the heads and joined to internal surfaces of the heads, the tabs including fourth and fifth straight folding lines that are extensions of the second and third folding lines of the first and second heads, and pairs of straight, inclined folding lines that are extensions of corresponding pairs of straight, inclined folding lines of the first and second heads. According to another feature of the box, the side panels are shorter than the longitudinal creasing lines and the head panels are slightly wider than the transversal creasing lines, the length of the side panels being such as to urge the related vertical edges against inner surfaces of the head panels. According to another feature of the invention, inclined folding lines of the first and second head panels originate from points of the respective transversal creasing lines between the bottom and said first and second head panels, these points being offset toward the vertical plane of symmetry of the box. The blank for making the collapsible box includes a rectangular bottom section, longitudinal side panels hinged to said bottom by means of longitudinal creasing lines and first and second head panels articulated to the edges of the bottom section along transversal creasing lines, with flaps journaled to said head panels along further creasing lines for being joined to adjacent portions of outer longitudinal surfaces of said side panels, said blank (100) further including: a first folding line extending along the longitudinal axis of said bottom section thus defining two longitudinal flaps; second and third straight folding lines extending from the extremities of said first folding line across the corresponding head panels and lying in a vertical plane of symmetry of the blank, thus defining in each head two semi-head panels; a first pair of straight, inclined folding lines extending from a transversal creasing line made between the bottom section and said first head and converging symmetrically with respect to said second folding line, thus defining central portions and lateral portions in said first head panel; a second pair of straight, inclined folding lines extending from a transversal creasing line made between the bottom and said second head and converging symmetrically with respect to said third folding line, thus defining central portions and lateral portions in said second head. According to a further feature, the includes reinforcing tabs journaled to the head panels for being joined to internal surfaces of said head panels, said tabs including fourth and fifth straight folding lines that are extensions of said second and third folding lines of sa d first and second heads, and pairs of straight, inclined folding lines that are extensions of corresponding pairs of straight, inclined folding lines of said first and second heads. According to a further feature of the blank, the side panels are shorter than said longitudinal creasing lines and the head panels are slightly wider than the transversal creasing lines. In accordance with another feature, the straight, inclined folding lines of said first and second head panels originate from points of the respective transversal creasing lines between the bottom section and said first and second head panels, these points being offset toward the vertical plane of symmetry of the blank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The characteristic features of the invention are pointed out in the following description with particular reference to the enclosed figures, in which: - Figure 1 shows a plan view of a blank, from which the proposed box is obtained; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of this box in a use configuration; - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the box in a configuration which precedes the steps defining its minimum size configuration; - Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the box in its minimum size configuration. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, reference number 100 indicates a blank obtained from an impermeable material e.g. foamed or solid synthetic resin. This blank has two pairs of longitudinal creasing lines 30a, 30b and transversal creasing lines 40a, 50a defining the bottom section F and longitudinal side panels P lf P 2 as well as head panels Tι,T 2 , first and second, respectively, for a corresponding box 200 to be formed (Fig. 2) . Flaps Aι , A 2 , A 3 , A, are articulated to the head panels Tj, T 2 by means of creasing lines which are to constitute vertical edges of the head panels. The flaps A 1# A 2 , A 3 and A 4 match with adjacent portions of outer surfaces of the side panels P l f P 2 , to which they are joined, according to known techniques, by glueing or, in case of synthetic resin blanks, heat-welding, when the box is erected. In order to avoid interference between the side panels and the head panels, the first ones are slightly shorter than the respective creasing lines 30a, 30b, in relation to the blank thickness. The head panels are slightly wider, also in relation to the blank thickness, with respect to the corresponding creasing lines 40a, 50a. These differences between the side panels and head panels with respect to the relative creasing lines are aimed at allowing production of a box without holes and/or slits in the areas Z between the head panels and side panels, and between the side panels and the bottom. In fact, the length of the side panels P x , P 2 is such as to cause a press contact between their vertical edges and the inner surfaces of the head panels T 2 , T 2 , thus creating a perfect sealing between the bottom, sides and head panels . Reinforcing tabs X x , X 2 are articulated to the outer edges of the head panels Ti, T 2 , by means of double creasing lines, which are to constitute the upper edges of the head panels Ti, T 2 , when the box is erected. The reinforcing tabs will the be set adjacent to the inner surface of the respective head panels. The above mentioned creasing lines are double, so as to compensate for the blank thickness, when the box is erected. Each tab is removably fixed to the related head by suitable means, formed by, e.g. an aperture 10, of isosceles trapezoid shape, made in the tab, and a T-like cutout 15 which is press cut in the head. The base of the T of the cutout is articulated to the head. The cutout longer end is wider than the aperture 10, therefore, the tab X lf X 2 can be fixed to the relative head i, T 2 , by introducing the cutout longer end into the aperture 10, which is possible due to the material extreme flexibility. For sake of clarity, the creasing lines mentioned hereinabove and in the following are the ones necessary to erect the box from the blank, while folding lines will be referred to hereinafter as the ones necessary to collapse the box already erected. A first folding line 30, contained in the plane of symmetry of the blank, is made along the longitudinal axis of the bottom F, thus defining two longitudinal flaps Fi, F 2 . The extremities of the first folding line 30 further extend with second and third straight folding lines 40, 50, which cross the head panels T 1; T 2 in longitudinal direction along the plane of symmetry of the blank, thus defining therein two semi-head panels. Also the reinforcing tabs Xj . , X 2 , are crossed in longitudinal direction along the box plane of symmetry of the blank, by fourth and fifth folding lines 85,90 which are a continuation of the above mentioned second and third folding lines creasing lines 40, 50, thus defining therein two semi-tabs. A first and a second pair of inclined folding lines 41, 42 and 51, 52 respectively, extend from the extremities of related transversal creasing lines 40a, 50a of the first and second head panels Ti, T 2 , in positions offset with respect to the relative longitudinal creasing lines 30a, 30b and toward the longitudinal axis of the blank. The two lines 41,42 of the first pair of inclined folding lines, and the lines 51,52 of the second pair of inclined folding lines, converge towards the longitudinal axis of the blank while extending outwards across the head panels Tj_, T 2 and the reinforcing tabs X 2 ,X 2 . With this configuration, the inclined folding lines 41, 42, 51, 52 define central portions 70, 80 and lateral portions 70A, 70B, 80A, 80b in the respective head panels . In the reinforcing tabs Xj, X 2 the inclined folding lines are indicated with 85A, 85B, 90A, 90B. As it results from what has been mentioned above, the tabs Xi, X 2 are co-planar with the corresponding head panels Tj . , T 2 and each pair of the inclined folding lines are extensions of the corresponding pair of folding lines 41, 42, 51, 52, of the related head Ti, T 2 . Moreover, the inclined folding lines of the tabs i, X 2 delimit a central portion 170, 180 and lateral portions 170A, 170B, 180A, 180B. Figure 2 shows the open, maximum size, configuration of the erected box 200. As has already been said, the difference of size of the side panels Pj . , P 2 and of the head panels T 1( T 2 with respect to the relative longitudinal creasing lines 30a, 30b and transversal creasing lines 40a, 50a avoids to stress the side panels, the head panels and the bottom while folding, on one hand, and avoids creation of holes and/or slits in those areas of the head panels and side panels, which are adjacent to the bottom, on the other hand. The box 200 is particularly suited for containing articles which leak liquid or have been previously treated with liquids, due to its structure as described above, and also due to the characteristics of the material of which it is made, i.e. impermeable synthetic recessed or solid resin. Such articles can be fish, fruit or vegetables contained in bulk in these boxes; obviously, the traces of liquids leaked by these articles must not get in contact with other articles. The boxes 200 can be stacked without leaking any liquid. To be stacked, the boxes 200 must have the flaps A 1# A, 2 A 3 , A 4 provided with flanges 35 in their upper part and, in their lower part, seats 36 complementary to the flanges 35. The proposed box can be collapsed to reduce its size, which is particularly advantageous during the transport, storage and disposal. To collapse the box from the use configuration, shown in Figure 2, it is necessary to perform the following steps: - the cutouts 15 are disengaged from the openings 10; - the reinforcing tabs X ϊ r X 2 are rotated by 180° (see Figure 3) ; - the head panels Tj_, T 2 are slightly pressed toward the inside of the box, so as to cause the mutual rotation of the central portions 70, 80, 170, 180 and of the lateral portions 70A, 70B, 80A, 80B, 170A, 170B, 180A, 180B with respect to the inclined folding lines 41, 42, 85A, 85A, 51, 52, 90A, 90B; this provokes mutual rotation of the outer portions 170A, 170B, 180A, 180B with respect to the relative fifth and sixth folding lines 85, 90 and the rotation of the longitudinal sides Pi, P 2 toward the inside of the box, until the central portions 70, 80, 170, 180 of the head panels and the tabs coincide with the bottom, so as to define an intermediate configuration of the box; - at the same time, the two longitudinal flaps Fj . , F 2 of the bottom, the two semi-head panels and the two semi- tabs are rotated about the first 30, the second 40, the third 50, the fourth 85 and the fifth 90 folding lines, respectively, while the second folding line 40, the fourth folding line 85, the third folding line 50 and the fifth folding line 90 aligned with and overlapping the first folding line 30, (see Figure 4) . The collapsed configuration of the proposed box of Figure 4 is particularly advantageous during the transport, storage and disposal; e.g. it can be placed together with other boxes in the same configuration in a suitable container, like another erected box, as the one shown in Figure 2. It is to be noted that the two longitudinal flaps Fi, F 2 can almost touch each other, in contrast with the material elastic reaction around the folding lines; this elastic reaction can be effectively contained by gathering more collapsed box inside one erected to use configuration box. The proposed box is particularly strong, which makes it very useful for containing heavy articles, e.g. metals, which can be dirty and/or treated with grease. It is understood that what above has been described as a mere, non limitative example, therefore possible constructive variants of the proposed box remain within the protective scope of the present technical solution, as described above and claimed in the following.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A collapsible box including a rectangular bottom (F) , longitudinal side panels (Pι,P 2 ) hinged to said bottom (F) by means of longitudinal creasing lines (30a, 30b) and first and second head panels (Tj,T 2 ) articulated to the edges of the bottom (F) along transversal creasing lines (40a, 50a), with flaps (Ai, A, ? A 3 , A 4 ) journaled to said head panels (Tj,T 2 ) along further creasing lines forming vertical edges of the head panels (T),T 2 ), said flaps (A 1; A, 2 A 3 , A ) being joined to adjacent portions of outer longitudinal surfaces of said side panels (P1,P2), said box being characterized in that it further includes: a first folding line (30) extending along the longitudinal axis of said bottom thus defining two longitudinal flaps (F1,F2), that can rotate about said first folding line (30) and towards the inside of the box; second and third straight folding lines (40,50) extending from the extremities of said first folding line (30) across the corresponding head panels (Tι,T 2 ) and lying in a vertical plane of symmetry of the box, thus defining in each head two semi-head panels which can rotate toward each other and towards the inside of the box, about said second and third folding lines respectively; a first pair of straight, inclined folding lines (41,42) extending from a transversal creasing line (40a) made between the bottom (F) and said first head panel (Tj . ) and converging upwards symmetrically with respect to said second folding line (40), thus defining a central portion (70) and lateral portions (70A,70B) in said first head panel for collapsing the same first head panel (Ti) towards the inside of the box due to rotation of the central and lateral portions (70,70A,70B) around said first pair of straight and inclined folding lines (41,42) ; a second pair of straight, inclined folding lines (51,52) extending from a transversal creasing line (50a) made between the bottom (F) and said second head panel (T 2 ) and converging upwards symmetrically with respect to said third folding line (50), thus defining a central portion (80) and lateral portions (80A, 80B) in said second head panel (T 2 ) for collapsing the same second head panel (T 2 ) towards the inside of the box due to rotation of the central and lateral portions (80,80A,80B) around said second pair of straight and inclined folding lines (51,52); said longitudinal sides (Pχ,P 2 ) being caused to rotate toward the inside of the box, until said central portions (70,80) of said first and second head panels (Tj,T 2 ) abut on said bottom. 2. A box according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes reinforcing tabs (Xτ.,X 2 ) journaled to said head panels (Tι,T 2 ) and joined to internal surfaces of said head panels, said tabs (X lf X 2 ) including fourth and fifth straight folding lines (85,90) that are extensions of said second and third folding lines (40,50) of said first and second head panels (Tι,T 2 ), and pairs of straight, inclined folding lines (85A, 85B, 90A, 90B) that are extensions of corresponding pairs of straight, inclined folding lines (41,42,51,52) of said first and second head panels (T X ,T 2 ) . 3. A box according to claim 1, characterized in that said side panels (P1,P2) are shorter than said longitudinal creasing lines (30a, 30b) and said head panels (T lA T 2 ) are slightly wider than said transversal creasing lines (40a, 40b), the length of said side panels (Pι,P 2 ) being such as to urge the related vertical edges against inner surfaces of said head panels (Tj,T 2 ). 4. A box according to claim 1, characterized in that said straight, inclined folding lines (41,42; 51,52) of said first and second head panels (Tι,T 2 ) originate from points of the respective transversal creasing lines (40a, 50a) between the bottom (F) and said first and second head panels (Tχ,T 2 ), these points being offset toward the vertical plane of symmetry of the box. 5. A box according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of impermeable material. 6. A blank for a collapsible box, the blank including a rectangular bottom section (F) , longitudinal side panels (Pl,P2) hinged to said bottom section (F) by means of longitudinal creasing lines (30a, 30b) and first and second head panels (Tι,T 2 ) articulated to the edges of the bottom section (F) along transversal creasing lines (40a, 50a), with flaps (Ai, A, 2 A 3 , A) journaled to said head panels (Tχ,T 2 ) along further creasing lines for being joined to adjacent portions of outer longitudinal surfaces of said side panels (Pι,P 2 ), said blank (100) being characterized in that it further includes: a first folding line (30) extending along the longitudinal axis of said bottom section thus defining two longitudinal flaps (Fχ,F 2 ); second and third straight folding lines (40,50) extending from the extremities of said first folding line (30) across the corresponding head panels (Tχ,T 2 ) and lying in a vertical plane of symmetry of the blank, thus defining in each head two semi-head panels; a first pair of straight, inclined folding lines (41,42) extending from a transversal creasing line (40a) made between the bottom section (F) and said first head panel (Tx) and converging symmetrically with respect to said second folding line (40), thus defining a central portion (70) and lateral portions (70A, 70B) in said first head panel (T : ) ; a second pair of straight, inclined folding lines (51,52) extending from a transversal creasing line (50a) made between the bottom section (F) and said second head panel (T 2 ) and converging symmetrically with respect to said third folding line (50), thus defining a central portion (80) and lateral portions (80A,80B) in said second head panel (T 2 ) . 7. A blank according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes reinforcing tabs (Xχ,X 2 ) journaled to said head panels (Tχ,T 2 ) for being joined to internal surfaces of said head panels, said tabs (X 1 ,X 2 ) including fourth and fifth straight folding lines (85,90) that are extensions of said second and third folding lines (40,50) of said first and second head panels (T ,T 2 ), and pairs of straight, inclined folding lines (85A, 85B, 90A, 90B) that are extensions of corresponding pairs of straight, inclined folding lines (41,42,51,52) of said first and second head panels (Tχ,T 2 ) 8. A blank according to claim 6, characterized in that said side panels (Pι,P 2 ) are shorter than said longitudinal creasing lines (30a, 30b) and said head panels (T 1# T 2 ) are slightly wider than said transversal creasing lines (40a, 40b). 9. A blank according to claim 6, characterized in that said straight, inclined folding lines (41,42; 51,52) of said first and second head panels (Tχ,T 2 ) originate from points of the respective transversal creasing lines (40a, 50a) between the bottom section (F) and said first and second head panels (Tχ,T 2 ), these points being offset toward the vertical plane of symmetry of the blank.

Inventors: VALENTI DANTE, VALENTI, DANTE
Applicants: VALENTI DANTE, VAME DI VALENTI DANTE, VALENTI, DANTE
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5