Patent Publication Number: US-2016229600-A1

Title: Box closure system, device and method with means to be attached and integrated into boxes

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the invention 
     The present invention relates generally to box and containers comprising a liner and more specifically it relates to a box closure system for providing a construction, system and method that allows the user to easily open and close a box with bag inside whereby the system can be detachable installed or integrated into the box/container and can also seal of the bag/liner that can sit inside a box. Providing a system, construction and method to close of boxes of different sizes with or without a bag inside such as typical ready to eat cereal or other boxes of different sizes. Allowing the user to close of a box with or without a bag inside so he can keep and preserve the content in the original package. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It can be appreciated that box closure devices like lids, clips, containers and the likes have been in use for years. The main problem with them is that they all have their limitations and drawbacks such as not fully user friendly and fun to use, production cost, size. The main problem with boxes and their configuration is that once the box and bag/liner containing the content is opened, it is very laborious and almost impossible to adequately close them of again in a fun and user friendly manner. They all have a number of drawbacks and finally are laborious and not fully user friendly. A problem with conventional boxes when using an other container is that you first have to pour the content from the original package into a container, this leaves you with an empty box and liner. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing a special device that allows the user to close of boxes having a liner inside of different sizes such as cereal—and other boxes. Allowing the user to close of a box with a bag inside so he can keep and preserve the content in the original package in a fun and user friendly manner. Providing a box closure system and method that can easily be used, installed/integrated and/or permanently or detachably fastened onto boxes of various different sizes. Providing a box closure system that can move the air out of a liner that sit inside a box. 
     The main problem with conventional box and container sealing devices are: cardboard boxes with a bag/liner inside containing a content are very unpractical to open and close. Once the box and bag containing the content is opened, it is very laborious to adequately close them off. When using a container, the content of the original bag has to be poured into a container, this leaves you with an empty box that you now have to throw away. 
     Furthermore containers don&#39;t display the name and brand name of the product. And the best possible way to preserve your product such as cereals is in the original liner and accompanied box. In these respects the box closure system according to the present invention substantially provides a box closure system, device and method primarily developed for the purpose of providing a small compact system that can be distributed together with the boxes or integrated into the boxes themselves and whereby the user can easily use his box so that he can quickly open, close and seal of the box and bag/liner. 
     Allowing the user to easily close off a box with bag inside so he can keep and preserve the content in the original package. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of box and container closures now present in the prior art such as lids, clips the present invention according to the various embodiments described below provides a new system, construction and method wherein the same can be utilized for providing a device that allows the user to close of boxes of different sizes having a liner inside and easily open and close said box, whereby said system can be installed or integrated with the various boxes. 
     The general purpose of the present invention which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new kind of box closure system, device and method that has many novel features that result in a new device, system and method. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a formation having a structure preferably running parallel with the top longitudinal configuration of the boxes for pressing the two sides of the box and bag/liner together. 
     Bringing them together so that the opening of the box and the liner in the box can be closed in a user friendly and fun manner whereby the sort sides of the box can be bended. Said two formations can comprise a channel section in the direction of the longitudinal configuration so said structure can firmly be attached and snapped onto the sides of a plurality of boxes having different sizes. The sides of the box can be urged and snapped between said channel sections. System and formation/structure that also can rather be integrated into the boxes themselves directly. A means for connecting said formation/structure, preferably by means of an interconnected closure means. 
     Additionally a tubing construction could be incorporated into the system/structure that can run inside the liner for guiding the excess air out of the liner. This tube construction preferably comprising a valve so that the air inside the liner can be pulled out but outside air can&#39;t get in. Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is small and rather inexpensive to produce so it could easily be distributed together with and/or along the boxes and also even fit inside a box and therefore could if wanted be used as a premium item inside or along the boxes. 
     There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter. In this respect before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention installed onto a box 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the present invention installed onto a box. 
         FIG. 3  is a back side view of the present invention installed onto the box. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the present invention installed onto the box with all the main mechanical components visible such as tube  10  running inside liner  3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the rectangular box configuration when the box is in an open position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the present invention on the box when the box with the invention installed on it are closed and the closure system of both pieces A and B are locked. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional side view of the present invention on the box when the box with the invention on it are closed and the closure system of both pieces A and B are locked. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the rectangular box configuration when both pieces A and B are brought together and the box is in a closed position whereby the top sides of the box short sides d and long sides c are bended inwardly to deform in four shorter sides d 1 , and two long sides c 1 . Alternatively the two short sides d can also be bended outwards into four sides when both pieces A and B are closed and pressure is build onto the thin upper sides of the typical rectangular cardboard boxes. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional front view of the present invention installed onto the box. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the present invention installed onto the box in open position with liner  3  and tube  10  running inside said liner. 
         FIG. 11  shows a top perspective assembled view of the present invention in a second embodiment whereby the parts rotate at one short side. 
         FIG. 12  shows a top disassembled perspective view of the present invention in the second embodiment whereby the pin and hinge constructions on the short sides of both parts A and B are shown. 
         FIG. 13  shows a top view of the present invention in the second embodiment installed onto the box  1  having a liner  3  inside and with all the folding leads and lines of the box with the poring triangle/mouth  250  that is created at the front of the box. 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  show perspective views of the present invention in the second embodiment installed onto the box  1  and in an open position. In  FIG. 14  the short box leads are pushed inwardly to enable parts A and B to be closed together with liner  3  and box  1  intermediate said parts. In  FIG. 15  the short front box leads are pushed outwardly to create the triangular handy poring mouth  250 . 
         FIG. 16  is a Cross sectional side view of the present invention in a third and improved embodiment installed on the box when the box with the invention on it are closed and the closure system  6  and  5  of both pieces A and B are interlocked. The protrusions  22  and  24  forming the channel section  25  are now angled and aligned with the two angled/slanted long box sides C 1   
         FIG. 17  shows a side view of the present invention as explained in the third embodiment installed onto the box with the slanted/angled sides. 
         FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of the present invention as explained in the third embodiment installed onto a box and in an open position. 
         FIG. 19  shows a perspective back view of the present invention according to the third embodiment. 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  show the invention according to the third embodiment in a side and perspective view with modeled and integrated child friendly features such as a molded creature shape, eyes, nose and mouth. 
         FIG. 22  shows a top view of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  shows a bottom view of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  shows an exploded bottom view of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 25  shows a front side view of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  shows a back side view of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the following discussion begins with a description of the common components. (It is important to note and a very important part of the invention that any such components/formations and methods can also be directely fully integrated into the respective boxes themselves) 
     The device comprising two main pieces A and B, both pieces A and B preferably having a rectangular longitudinal member  2 , preferably comprising a channel section  25  created by protrusions  22  and  24  (See  FIG. 4 ) running parallel with the longitudinal direction of the member  2  and protruding downwardly from the bottom surface of said member. This for installing pieces A and B onto the longitudinal sides of the boxes, snapping and detachably fixing the sides of the boxes between said protrusions  22  and  24 . The short end sections of said members can be left open or be capped  21  and can also have a channel sections for gripping the short sides of the boxes. (See  FIGS. 2 and 5 ) at least one gripping protrusion  7  depending inwardly from member  2 , preferably also running parallel with the longitudinal configuration of said member  2  for firmly pressing the sides of the liner/bag between those gripping sections  7  of pieces A and B. (See  FIGS. 1-6 ) A tubing construction  10  preferably is pivotally attached onto one longitudinal member of at least one piece A or B and can preferably run trough A foramen  9  (See  FIG. 6 ) in the longitudinal grip protrusion/sections  7  for guiding said tubing construction  10  trough the device inside the liner. When the device both pieces A and B is closed, the liner is pressed between sections  7  and tubing construction  10  thereby allowing the tube to run inside the liner and when the device is closed is fully pressing the sides of the liner closed so that when the air is pulled outside the liner trough the tubing  10 , a vacuum in the liner can be achieved. A valve  11  inside or on top of the tube can be implemented so that when the air is pulled out of the liner that sits inside the box, it can&#39;t get in again once the air has been removed. This can be done by a manual or electrical or other vacuum pump. A detachable closure means for closing both pieces A and B firmly together, preferably by means of an interconnecting snapping construction  5  and  6 . In a second embodiment See  FIGS. 11-15  a hinge means  201  and  202  is constructed and arranged on the back of both parts A and B. When said parts A and B are installed onto the long top box sides and said hinge constructions  201  and  202  are brought together a locking pin  200  can be inserted and thereby pivotally constrain said parts A and B. 
     In this second embodiment the snapper fit/click construction can be constructed and arrange onto the short front sides  21  of parts A and B. When the box  1  with the parts A and B installed on said box  1  is opened a triangular top box configuration is created and when the front short box top leads d 1  and d 2  are pulled somewhat outward (See  FIG. 15 ) a very important and convenient triangular pouring mouth  250  is created. 
     In a third and again improved embodiment of the invention See  FIGS. 16-21  The hinge constructions  201 ,  202  and  200  are arranged and constructed at a different angle in relation to the other construction and in particular to protrusions  22  and  24 . This so that the sides  22  and  24  can sit at an angle and better align with the angled, slanted sides C 1  of the box when the device is closed, thereby also making it much easier and more user friendly to close, press the snap fit engagements  6  and  5  together. This because the upper section of the long cardboard sides don&#39;t have to be pulled together parallel See  FIG. 7  like it is the case in the previous first and second embodiment but rather follow the natural angled shape of the long cardboard box sides C 1  when the box is closed See  FIG. 16 . The angle between the hinge construction and the other body and in particular protrusions  22  and  24  creating the channel  25  that grip over the box sides preferably having an angle between 5° and 50° Degrees. Children friendly figures/creatures such as animals, cartoon and television figures see protrusion-formation  40  and features  42 ,  44 ,  46  like eyes, mouth, nose, feet etc can be modeled and or printed and integrated in the device as seen in an example in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . This is also a very important feature and specific subject matter of the invention. 
     The invention preferably can be manufactured out a polymer, elastomer or combination thereof or any other materials such as but not limited to aluminum, iron. The precise distribution of functionality preferably is made according to known engineering tradeoffs, with reference to the specific embodiment of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
     The user opens the box  1  and the bag  3  containing the content inside the box. The user folds the flaps of the box towards the inside or outside of the box  1 . The short cardboard flaps can be separated by cutting them of with a scissor or other cutting tool or teared so that said short upper box sides are thinner and therefor easier to bend. The user now places the two structures A and B over the longest top sides of the box, by pressing them with their channel sections  25  created by protrusions  22  and  24  over said box sides making sure that the bag/liner  3  sits intermediate the gripping members  7  of both pieces A and B, and that the tube  10  is guided inside the liner. This is facilitated due to the pivot ting function of said tube  10  onto at least one of structures A and B. Now both structures A and B are installed onto the upper longitudinal sides of the box and can be closed by compressing them inwardly towards each other and interlocking them together with the snappers. The longitudinal upper sides c of the box will now bends inwardly c 1  (See  FIG. 8  illustration of upper box configuration when presses inwardly). The short sides d of the box will bend in or outwardly into two sections d 1 . This bending can be done by pressing the two parts A and B together and pushing the middle of the short box sides  100  somewhat in or outwards, or by first making a folding line into the two short box sides. This can be achieved by making a vertical incision  100  with a scissor or knife of approximately 20-40 mm in the approximate middle of the two short box sides (See  FIGS. 6-8  dotted line  100 ) This line can also be made with the jaws function of the invention when the device is assembled with pin  200  inserted so that the device can be used as a clamping means for making a line. For instance by integrating a protrusion depending from section  7  where the two pieces A and B can be placed over the short sides of the box, then presses together with the cardboard between said two parts A and B and then pulled upward to make a vertical line  100 . Alternatively a little device can be attached with the product for making said folding lines, whereby a protrusion is carving said folding line in the cardboard box. However it is important to highlight that it is not necessarily needed to make any folding line since when the two parts A and B are brought together by forcing some pressure on them the short sides naturally will also just automatically bend. 
     The upper side of the liner is now being pressed and sealed between the two gripping members  7  with tubing structure  10  also pressed between said gripping/sealing members  7  and with the bag/liner  3  pressed around tube  10 . The bag is now firmly sealed of from the outside air environment and the box is closed. The upper box configuration now preferably look like a closed purse. A manual, electrical or any other vacuum pump device can now be installed onto tube  10  and or valve  11  to start pumping out the excess air in the liner, thus creating a vacuum in the liner. When the user wants to open his box and bag again he simply unleashes the snapper closures  5  and  6  and pulls both longitudinal pieces A and B back outwards. He can now start pouring and accessing the content that sits in the liner such as a typical ready to eat cereal or other food product. 
     In a second embodiment of the device See  FIGS. 11-15  the box is opened and the box flaps/leads are folded inwards, then Parts A and B are installed by pressing them over the longitudinal sides of the box, thereby snapping them onto said long box sides. Now preferably but not necessarily a folding line  100  is made in the approximate middle of both short upper sides. Next the liner  3  is opened and the back of parts A and B having the hinge engagements  201  and  202  are pressed and brought together in place so that locking pin  200  can be inserted so said parts A and B are pivotally constrained, whereby the back short box sides d running into the two upper leads d 1  and d 2  are directed and folded inwardly. The invention in the second embodiment is now installed. To close, the front section with the snapper means on parts A and B are closed by clicking them together. To open the box and liner, snapper  6  is released and very important the front short top box leads d 1  and d 2  can be pushed outwards so that a convenient poring mouth  250  is created See  FIGS. 14-15 . 
     This is a very important method and subject matter of this specific invention. In a third and yet improved embodiment of the device See  FIGS. 16-21 . 
     The hinge construction is arranged and constructed to have a different angle in relation to the other body so that the sides  22  and  24  can sit more aligned with the long sides of the box when closed. A child friendly figure is modeled and integrated in the device. 
     In a fourth embodiment of the device See  FIGS. 25-30 . The shape of the device is improved as it has a somewhat bended form along its longitudinal sides  2  and griping members  7  improving the strength of the product as well as the camping power. Furthermore little protrusions  400  for creating a tighter clamping fit onto the boxes are constructed alongside channel  25 . 
     Very important is that the invention rather than being a separate device can certainly also be applied, constructed and arranged directly into the boxes themselves in any form, material and method and thus being implemented directly with the box construction itself. 
     Additional Embodiments 
     
         
         
           
             Fastener means  5  and  6  can be installed and positioned onto both the short sides also. The locking means for when the box is closed by bringing the front or back or both front and back of the two longitudinal sides together can also be integrated both into the short box sides as well as into the long box sides of the box or in both sides of the boxes; 
             A elastomer section can be implemented anywhere in onto the device, for instance onto the gripping members  7  as to create a better sealing result, or more ergonomic soft touch user experience; 
             A vacuum pump separately from the invention can be used but certainly also a more permanently build in pump mechanism can also be constructed and arranged onto/into the invention; 
             The hinge construction can also be a living hinge whereby parts A and B are one molded part rather than two separate parts pivotally connected by locking pin  200 .