Abstract:
The invention presents a system for assembling a box ( 1 ), comprising plates ( 3 - 6 ), each having, in the assembled condition of the box ( 1 ), an inner side and an outer side, and fittings ( 8, 9 ); each serving, in the assembled condition of the box ( 1 ), as a connection between at least two adjacent plates ( 3 - 6 ), and each comprising an inner fitting part ( 13, 13′ ) and an outer fitting part ( 12, 12′ ), to be placed at the inner side of the plates ( 3 - 6 ) and the outer side of the pates ( 3 - 6 ) respectively. In each fitting, the inner and the outer fitting parts ( 13, 13′, 12, 12′ ) are joined with each other by means of at least one bridge ( 14, 14′ ), the bridge ( 14, 14′ ) being positioned, in the assembled condition of the box ( 1 ), between at least two of the plates ( 3 - 6 ), between which the fitting ( 8, 9 ) serves as a connection.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a system for assembling a box, according to the pre-characterizing clause of patent claim 1.  
         PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    With regard to assembling boxes for, for example, packing, a number of known methods exist. When, for example, heavy items are to be packed, the item, for example an engine, can be placed on a box bottom, pallet or the like, to which plates of plywood, corrugated cardboard, solid wood or the like are nailed in order to form a protective case. In this method, although it is true that the material is relatively inexpensive, the time consumption during assembly is great  
           [0003]    A number of systems for assembling boxes exist on the market. Examples of such systems are those marketed under various trademarks by manufacturers such as Ne-fab, Foldy Pac and Clip-lock. The disadvantage of these systems is that the component parts are relatively complex and therefore relatively expensive to manufacture. Moreover, boxes belonging to these systems are difficult to recycle because the materials, such as metal and wood, are integrated with one another and therefore difficult to separate.  
           [0004]    GB 1 446 832 A describes a box, in which the sides are connected by strips which extend along the edges on the sides. Each strip connects two sides by virtue of longitudinal projections on the strip engaging with grooves in the sides. A disadvantage of the construction in GB 1 446 832 A is that it is difficult to fasten the lid of the box on its sides with the strips being used. It is also difficult to disassemble the box in GB 1 446 832 A without destroying component parts.  
         THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    One object of the present invention is to provide a system for assembling a box, which requires low time consumption for assembling a box and in which the component parts are simple and therefore inexpensive to manufacture. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system for assembling a box, in which the components of the box, such as fittings, bottom, lid, sides and end walls, can be reused a number of times. A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for assembling a box, in which recycling of material included in the box and environmentally friendlier handling in the event of incineration are facilitated.  
         DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The object of the invention is achieved by means of a system for assembling a box having the features indicated in patent claim 1.  
           [0007]    By virtue of their design, it is possible to manufacture the fittings included in the system according to the invention in one piece by injection moulding, which results in low manufacturing costs. The plates included in the system are also simple from the manufacturing point of view, resulting in low manufacturing costs. The design of the system with grooved plates and securing flaps results in the work of assembling a box being very simple and brief, and also in disassembly being possible without the parts being damaged and therefore in these being reusable. The design of the system according to the invention makes material separation considerably easier, which in turn facilitates recycling and environmentally friendlier handling in the event of incineration.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0008]    In the drawing:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a box  1  according to the invention,  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 shows plates for the box in FIG. 1,  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the line III-III in FIG. 2,  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a part of the box in FIG. 1,  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a side fitting according to the invention,  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 shows a view of the side fitting in the direction of the arrow VI in FIG. 5,  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 shows a view from above of the side fitting in FIG. 5,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 shows a view of the side fitting in the direction of the arrow VIII in FIG. 5,  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 shows a side view of the side fitting in FIG. 5,  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 shows a sectional view along the line X-X in FIG. 7,  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a fitting according to the invention, in the assembled, unsecured state,  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 shows a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11 with the fitting in the assembled, secured state,  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a corner fitting according to the invention,  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 14 shows a view of the corner fitting in the direction of the arrow XIV in FIG. 13,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 15 shows a view of the corner fitting in the direction of the arrow XV in FIG. 13,  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 16 shows a view from above of the corner fitting in FIG. 13,  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 17 shows a view of the corner fitting in the direction of the arrow XVII in FIG. 13,  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 18 shows a sectional view along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 16, and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a side fitting according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 shows a box  1  according to the invention, comprising six plates  3 - 6  which constitute a lid  3 , a bottom  4 , two sides  5  and two end walls  6 . In this embodiment, the plates  3 - 6  are manufactured from 9 mm, 5-ply plywood, but other thicknesses and materials can be used, such as, for example, hard and porous board, chipboard, OSB, MDF, blockboard, plastic or solid wood. The box is provided with two bottom crossbars  7 . Alternatively, the bottom  4  and the bottom crossbars  7  can be replaced by a pallet. The plates  3 - 6  are held together by side fittings  8  and corner fittings  9 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 shows the plates  3 - 6  in the box  1 . The lid  3 , the bottom  4  and the two end walls  6  are provided, on one of their surfaces, with grooves  10 . In the assembled condition of the box, the end walls  6  are turned so that the grooves  10  are located in the external surface, and the lid  3  and the bottom  4  are turned so that the grooves  10  are located in the internal surface. The grooves  10  are located close to the edges and run, on the lid  3 , the bottom  4  and the two end walls  6 , around the entire surface on each plate  3 - 6 . The sides  5  have two grooves in each surface. In one surface on each side  5 , the grooves  10  are located close to the edges which are intended to be joined to the lid  3  and the bottom  4 . In the other surface on each side  5 , the grooves  10  are located close to the edges which are intended to be joined to the end walls  6 , this surface then constituting an internal surface in the assembled condition of the box  1 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 shows that the grooves  10  in this embodiment have a rectangular cross section. The grooves  10  are 2.5 mm deep and 6 mm wide, and are located 18 mm from the edges. Other dimensions of the grooves and their distance from the edges are of course possible. Other cross sections, for example with rounded corners, are also included within the scope of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 shows a corner of the box in FIG. 1 with the lid  3 , one side  5  and one end wall  6 , and two side fittings  8  and one corner fitting  9 . These side fittings  8  and this corner fitting  9  comprise one and, respectively, two securing flaps  11  which are each in engagement with a groove  10 . Each fitting  8 ,  9  can be manufactured, for example, as one piece of injection-moulded plastic, such as PP, PA, PE or the like. Alternatively, the fittings can be made of metal, for example steel plate, or another suitable material.  
         [0032]    Reference is now made to FIGS.  5 - 10  which show various views of a side fitting  8 . The side fitting  8  comprises an outer fitting part  12  which is intended to be on the outside of the box in the assembled condition of the box. An inner fitting part  13  is intended to be on the inside of the box in the assembled condition of the box. The outer fitting part  12  and the inner fitting part  13  are each essentially oriented in two planes which are at right angles to one another (see further below). The two fitting parts  12 ,  13  are joined by two plate-like bridges  14 .  
         [0033]    The inner fitting part  13  is an angled, frame-like component comprising a gripping part  15  and an inner support part  16  which each have a free end  17 . The gripping part  15  and the inner support part  16  are oriented in planes which are essentially at right angles to one another, and they are connected to one another in two corner regions  18  (see FIG. 9). As an alternative, the inner fitting part  13  can, instead of being frame-like, be designed as an angled plate-like part. As a further alternative, the inner fitting part  13  can be designed as an angled frame which is open at one of the free ends. As yet another alternative, the inner fitting part  13  can be designed in such a manner that two or more arms replace the gripping part  15  and, respectively, the inner support part  16 .  
         [0034]    The outer fitting part  12  is, in a similar manner to the inner fitting part  13 , designed as an angled frame-like component, with the difference that a securing flap  11  is arranged on the outer fitting part  12 . In the event that each fitting  8 ,  9  is made from injection-moulded plastic, the securing flap  11  is preferably integrally connected to the other parts of the fitting. The outer fitting part  12  comprises a securing base  21  and an outer support part  22  which each have a free end  17  and meet in two corner regions  18 . The outer fitting part  12  is essentially oriented in the same manner as the inner fitting part  13 . In the outer fitting part  12 , there is an opening for the securing flap  11 . The inner fitting part  13  can also be designed as an angled frame which is open at the free end  17  of the outer support part  22 .  
         [0035]    As can be seen more clearly from FIG. 10, the securing flap  11  is attached or integrally connected to the outer fitting part  12 . The securing flap comprises an inner securing part  27  and an outer securing part  28 , the inner securing part  27  being located closest to the securing base  21 . The two securing parts  27 ,  28  are essentially oriented in separate planes which form an angle α in relation to one another, which is roughly 75° in this embodiment. The reason for the selection of the size of this angle will emerge below.  
         [0036]    That part of the inner securing part  27  which is located closest to the securing base  21  has a reduced thickness over the entire width of the securing flap  11  and constitutes a hinge  29  for rotation of the securing flap  11  around an axis which is parallel to an axis defined by the meeting of the planes in which the gripping part  15  and, respectively, the inner support part  16  are oriented. As the securing flap  11  is in this embodiment integrally connected to the securing base  21 , the working movements in the hinge are performed by elastic bending in the material of the same. The securing flap  11  thus has a rest position in which there is no elastic bending of the hinge  29 . The securing flap can be seen in its rest position in FIG. 10. Alternatively, the hinge  29  can be designed as another type of hinge or articulation.  
         [0037]    On the inner securing part  27 , on the outer side of the securing flap  11 , there is suitably a recess in which a user can place a finger in order to press on the securing flap  11  during assembly of the box  1 .  
         [0038]    On the outer securing part  28 , on the inner side of the securing flap  11  and close to one end  30  thereon, there is a securing shoulder  31  This securing shoulder  31  is intended to be fitted into the groove  10  in one of the plates  3 - 6  during assembly of the box  1 , the plate being turned so that the groove is located on the outside of the box  1 . The securing shoulder  31  preferably has its greatest extent in the transverse direction of the securing flap  11  and is centred in the middle thereon. In this embodiment, the securing shoulder  31  has a square cross section, in which that corner which is located furthest from the end  30  of the securing flap  11  forms a slightly acute angle. Alternatively, the cross section of the securing shoulder can be rectangular or have a different shape, for example circular. Moreover, the securing flap  11  can be provided with more than one securing shoulder  31 .  
         [0039]    In its rest position, the securing flap  11  is oriented so that the tip on the securing shoulder is situated in or slightly inside the plane defined by that side of the outer support part  22  which faces the inner fitting part  13 .  
         [0040]    The outer and inner fitting parts  12  and  13  are, as mentioned previously, joined by two bridges  14 . The bridges  14 , which have a relatively small thickness, extend from the corner regions  18  on the inner fitting part  13  to the outer support part  22  on the outer fitting part  12  (see FIG. 9). Each bridge  14  extends parallel to the gripping part  15 , towards the outer support part  22 . In this connection, that side on each bridge  14  which faces the securing base  21  on the outer fitting part  12  is oriented in the same plane as that side on the gripping part  15  on the inner fitting part  13  which also faces the securing base  21  on the outer fitting part  12 .  
         [0041]    In an alternative embodiment, the outer and inner fitting parts  12  and  13  can be joined by only one bridge  14 .  
         [0042]    The inner fitting part  13  is provided with two fixed shoulders  32  which are each located on that side of the gripping part  15  which faces towards the securing base  21  on the outer fitting part  12 . These fixed shoulders  32  are arranged so as, in the assembled condition of the box, to fit into the groove  10  on a plate  3 - 6  which is turned with the grooved surface towards the inside of the box  1 . The fixed shoulders  32  have their greatest extent in the transverse direction of the gripping part  15  and have a rectangular cross section. Alternatively, the inner fitting part can be provided with only one fixed shoulder.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 11 and 12 show an example of the functioning of one of the side fittings  8 . The corner fittings  9  function in a similar way (see further below). In this example, the side fitting  8  serves as a connection between the lid  3  and one of the sides  5  of the box  1 . During assembly, the lid  3  is inserted into a space between the outer fitting part  12  and the inner fitting part  13 , that is to say between the gripping part  15  and the securing base  21 . In this connection, the fixed shoulders  32  are fitted into the groove  10  in the lid  3 . When the lid  3  is inserted into the side fitting  8 , a certain elastic deformation of the side fitting  8  takes place, the distance between the free ends  17  on the gripping part  15  and the securing base  21  increasing until the fixed shoulders  32  have been fitted into the groove  10 .  
         [0044]    The side  5  is inserted into the space between the inner support part  16  and the outer support part  22 , that surface on the side  5  which has grooves  10  located at the edges to be connected to the lid  3  and, respectively, the bottom  4  being turned outwards (cf. above with reference to FIG. 2). The distance between the inner support part  16  and the outer support part  22  at the free end  17  of the outer support part  22  is slightly smaller than the distance between the two fitting parts  12 ,  13  at the bridges  14 . This means that, during assembly of the box, when the side fitting  8  has been placed on the plates  3 ,  5  but before it has been secured by the securing flap  11 , it is prevented from moving freely along the edges on the plates because the inner support part  16  and the outer support part  22  “pinch” the side  5  in.  
         [0045]    Finally, the user presses the inner securing part  27  of the securing flap  11  towards the outer surface of the lid  3 , the securing shoulder  31  moving, or snapping, into the groove  10  on the side  5 .  
         [0046]    On the securing flap  11 , the two securing parts  27 ,  28  preferably form an angle a which is smaller than 90°. This results in the securing flap  11 , in its secured position, in which it encloses one of the edges of the box  1 , is subjected to elastic deformation, the angle α between the two securing parts  27 ,  28  in the secured position of the securing flap  11  being greater than the angle between the two securing parts  27 ,  28  in the unsecured position of the securing flap  11 . The deformation of the securing flap results in the securing shoulder  31  bearing under pressure against one side in the groove  10 . This counteracts the securing shoulder  31  moving out of the groove  10 , and thus the securing flap  11  moving out of its secured position.  
         [0047]    Reference is now made to FIGS.  13 - 18  which show various views of a corner fitting  9 . The corner fitting  9  comprises an outer fitting part  12 ′ which is intended to be on the outside of the box in the assembled condition of the box. An inner fitting part  13 ′ is intended to be on the inside of the box in the assembled condition of the box. The outer fitting part  12 ′ and the inner fitting part  13 ′ are each essentially oriented in three planes which are angled at 90° in relation to one another, with minor deviations (see further below). The two fitting parts  12 ′,  13 ′ are joined by a plate-like bridge  14 ′.  
         [0048]    The inner fitting part  13 ′ comprises a gripping part  15 ′ and two inner support parts  16 ′ which each have a free edge  23 . The two inner support parts  16 ′ are at right angles to one another, being joined together at one of their edges. The gripping part  15 ′ is in turn oriented at right angles to the two inner support parts  16 ′ and is connected to these in two edge regions  24 . As an alternative, the inner fitting part  13 ′ can be designed in such a manner that three or more arms replace the inner support parts  16 ′.  
         [0049]    The outer fitting part  12 ′ is designed in a similar manner to the inner fitting part  13 ′, with the difference that two securing flaps  11 ′ are joined to the outer fitting part  12 ′. The outer fitting part  12 ′ comprises a securing base  21 ′ and two outer support parts  22 ′ which each have free edges  23 . The two outer support parts  22 ′ are essentially at right angles to one another, being joined together at one of their edges. The securing base  21 ′ is in turn oriented essentially at right angles to the two outer support parts  22 ′ and is connected to these in two edge regions  24 . The outer fitting part  12 ′ is essentially oriented in the same manner as the inner fitting part  13 ′. The two securing flaps  11 ′ are each located on their own side of the outer support parts  22 ′ and are moreover rotated by 90° relative to one another in relation to an axis which is at right angles to the securing base  21 ′.  
         [0050]    The securing flaps  11 ′ are attached or integrally connected to the securing base  21 ′ on the outer fitting part  12 ′. The securing flaps  11 ′ are designed in the same manner as in the case of the side fitting  8  described above. Therefore, they each have their own hinge  29 ′. The working movements in the hinges take place by elastic bending in the material of the same. On the securing flaps  11 ′, there are securing shoulders  31 ′ which are intended to be fitted into grooves  10  in two of the plates  3 - 6  during assembly of the box  1 , the plates being turned so that the grooves are located on the outside of the box  1 .  
         [0051]    The outer and inner fitting parts  12 ′ and  13 ′ are, as mentioned previously, joined by a bridge  14 ′. This bridge  14 ′ extends, in the edge regions  24  of the inner fitting part  13 ′, around the corner which is formed by the two inner support parts  16 ′. The bridge  14 ′, which has a relatively small thickness, extends from the edge regions  24  on the inner fitting part  13 ′ to the outer support parts  22 ′ on the outer fitting part  12 ′. Each bridge  14 ′ extends parallel to the gripping part  15 ′, towards the outer support parts  22 ′. In this connection, that side on each bridge  14 ′ which faces the securing base  21 ′ on the outer fitting part  12 ′ is oriented in the same plane as that side on the gripping part  15 ′ on the inner fitting part  13 ′ which also faces the securing base  21 ′ on the outer fitting part  12 ′.  
         [0052]    In alternative embodiments, the outer and inner fitting parts  12 ′ and  13 ′ can be joined by two or more bridges  14 ′.  
         [0053]    The inner fitting part  13 ′ is provided with two fixed shoulders  32 ′ which are angled at 90° in relation to one another. These shoulders  32 ′ are located on that side of the gripping part  15 ′ which faces the securing base  21 ′ on the outer fitting part  12 ′. The shoulders  32 ′ are arranged so as, in the assembled condition of the box, to fit into grooves  10  on a plate  3 - 6  which is turned with the grooved surface towards the inside of the box  1 . In this embodiment, the shoulders  32 ′ meet and form a corner. Alternatively, they can be separated.  
         [0054]    The functioning of the corner fittings  9  is essentially the same as the functioning of the side fittings  8  (compare above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12). Each corner fitting  9  serves as a connection between the lid  3  or the bottom  4  and one of the sides  5  and one of the end walls  6  of the box  1 . During assembly, the lid  3  is inserted into a space between the outer fitting part  12 ′ and the inner fitting part  13 ′, that is to say between the gripping part  15 ′ and the securing base  21 ′. In this connection, the fixed shoulders  32 ′ are fitted into the grooves  10  in the lid  3 .  
         [0055]    A side  5  and an end wall  6  are inserted into the space between the inner support parts  16 ′ and the outer support parts  22 ′, the grooves  10  of the end wall  6  being turned outwards. In a similar manner to in the case of the side fittings  8 , the distance between the inner support parts  16 ′ and the outer support parts  22 ′ at the free edges  23  of the outer support parts  22 ′ is slightly smaller than the distance between the two fitting parts  12 ′,  13 ′ at the bridge  14 ′. This means that, during assembly of the box, the corner fitting  9  obtains a provisional grip on the side  5  and, respectively, the end wall  6  before the securing flaps  11 ′ are snapped firmly into place. Finally, the user presses on the securing flaps  11 ′ so that securing shoulders  31 ′ move into the grooves  10  on the side  5  and, respectively, the end wall  6 .  
         [0056]    In this context, the term box means a container, case or enclosure which may be open or closed and which may have small or large dimensions and can be movable or stationary.  
         [0057]    In this context, the term groove means cutouts which may be extended, designed as indications or the like with limited extent, or through-openings or holes in the plates  3 - 6 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 19, shows a side fitting  8 , according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. It corresponds to the side fitting as described above, except for the feature that it comprises two inner fitting parts  13 .  
         [0059]    Further alternatives are possible, including the fitting  8 ,  9  comprising more than two fixed shoulders, The side fitting  8  comprising more than one securing flap  11 . Also, more than one securing shoulder  31 ,  31 ′ can be located on each securing flap  11 ,  11 ′.