Patent Publication Number: US-2004046011-A1

Title: Carton

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to a carton, and more particularly to a carton for packaging a built-up type intellectual teaching aid named Transformable Pyramid.  
       [0002] The Transformable Pyramid is an intellectual teaching aid including a plurality of elements that could be freely assembled in many different ways to create differently shaped pyramids. With the specially designed geometrical shapes of the elements for the Transformable Pyramid, the elements may be built up to produce an eight-face body consisting of two bottom-connected pyramids. The Transformable Pyramid in the form of the 8-face dual-pyramid body can be more conveniently packaged, transported, and displayed without occupying too much space, as compared with the loose elements. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional carton  20  for packaging the Transformable Pyramid. The carton  20  includes a rectangular box  22  and a folded seat  24  disposed in the box  22 . The folded seat  24  is formed through folding a rectangular cardboard in a predetermined manner to provide a valley  242  on a top thereof. FIG. 2 shows a Transformable Pyramid  10  in the shape of the 8-face dual-pyramid body is positioned in the carton  20 . With the valley  242  on the top of the folded seat  24 , the Transformable Pyramid  10  may be located in place in the box  22 .  
       [0003] Although the valley  242  of the folded seat  24  enables the eight-face dual-pyramid body of the Transformable Pyramid  10  to stably locate in the box  22 , the entire carton  20  uses a large quantity of cardboard to have a big overall volume. Such carton  20  requires increased freight and is not convenient for storage and display. The carton  20  has a cubic appearance that fails to present the beauty of the specially shaped Transformable Pyramid packaged therein. A clear window provided on the box  22  might be somewhat helpful to show the beauty of the Transformable Pyramid packaged in the carton  20 , but the problems of the big-volume box  22  occupying a large space and wasting too many cardboard, and the high freight still exist. The conventional carton  20  also has the disadvantages of being uneasy to package and subjected to damage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a carton having an improved structure consisting of integrally formed first and second pyramidal parts, which are open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies adapted to close to each other for fitly accommodating an individual Transformable Pyramid having an eight-face dual-pyramid body, so that an appearance of the carton in a closed state is the same as the Transformable Pyramid.  
       [0005] To achieve the above and other objects, the carton of the present invention mainly includes a cardboard divided into first and second groups of four right triangular faces that are sequentially connected to one another in a predetermined manner. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. The first group of four right triangular faces are folded along the folding lines thereof with a first and a last one of the four faces being locked together through engagement of tag and slit correspondingly provided on outer edges of the first and the last faces, such that a first open-bottomed four-face pyramidal part is formed.  
       [0006] The second group of four right triangular faces are also folded along the folding lines thereof with a first and a last one of the four faces being locked together through engagement of tag and slit correspondingly provided on outer edges of the first and the last faces, such that a second open-bottomed four-face pyramidal part is formed. The first and the second pyramidal part are connected to each other at a common edge between the first and the second group of four triangular faces, and the second pyramidal part is closable onto and locked to the first pyramidal part to produce an eight-face dual-pyramid carton through engagement of tags and slits provided on outer edges of three outer faces in the second group of four triangular faces with slits and tags provided on outer edges of three corresponding faces in the first group of four triangular faces. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional carton for packaging things;  
     [0009]FIG. 2 shows the conventional packaging carton of FIG. 1 in use;  
     [0010]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first cardboard for forming a carton of the present invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 4 shows the manner of folding the first cardboard of FIG. 3 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 5 shows the use of the carton produced from the first cardboard of FIG. 3 to package things;  
     [0013]FIG. 6 shows an intellectual teaching aid named Transformable Pyramid that includes two pyramidal bodies connected at bottoms and therefore has eight faces;  
     [0014]FIG. 7 shows the use of the carton produced from the first cardboard of FIG. 3 to package a Transformable Pyramid;  
     [0015]FIG. 8 shows the carton of FIG. 7 in a closed state;  
     [0016]FIG. 9 shows a first example of printing patterns on the cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 10 shows another example of printing patterns on the cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 11 shows a carton of the present invention with patterns printed on faces thereof;  
     [0019]FIG. 12 shows a plurality of cardboards for producing the carton of the present invention in an orderly stacked state;  
     [0020]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a second cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 14 shows the first step of folding the second cardboard of FIG. 13 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 15 shows the second step of folding the second cardboard of FIG. 13 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 16 is a plan view of a third cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0024]FIG. 17 shows the first step of folding the third cardboard of FIG. 16 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0025]FIG. 18 shows the second step of folding the third cardboard of FIG. 16 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0026]FIG. 19 is a plan view of a fourth cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0027]FIG. 20 shows the first step of folding the fourth cardboard of FIG. 19 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0028]FIG. 21 shows the second step of folding the fourth cardboard of FIG. 19 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0029]FIG. 22 is a plan view of a fifth cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 23 shows the first step of folding the fifth cardboard of FIG. 22 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0031]FIG. 24 shows the second step of folding the fifth cardboard of FIG. 22 to produce the carton of the present invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 25 is a plan view of a sixth cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention;  
     [0033]FIG. 26 shows the first step of folding the sixth cardboard of FIG. 25 to produce the carton of the present invention; and  
     [0034]FIG. 27 shows the second step of folding the sixth cardboard of FIG. 25 to produce the carton of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0035] Please refer to FIG. 3 that is a plan view of a first cardboard for producing a carton of the present invention. That is, FIG. 3 shows a carton of the present invention in a fully extended state. As shown, the first cardboard is divided into a first group of faces A 1  to A 4  and a second group of faces B 1  to B 4  for forming a first pyramidal part A and a second pyramidal part B, respectively, of the carton. The faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are eight sequentially connected right triangles. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. Each of the triangular faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  has an area slightly larger than that of one pyramidal plane of the Transformable Pyramid. After the first and the second group of faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are separately folded along the folding lines provided thereon, the two faces A 1 , A 4  and the two faces B 1 , B 4  are respectively connected together by engaging tags  2  with slits  4  correspondingly provided at outer edges of the faces A 1 , A 4  and of the faces B 1 , B 4  to produce two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies, that is, the first and the second pyramidal part A, B.  
     [0036]FIG. 4 shows the first cardboard has been partially folded to produce the first pyramidal part A while the faces B 1 , B 4  of the second pyramidal part B have not yet been connected together via engagement of the tag  2  with the slit  4 . The first pyramidal part  4  includes four right triangular faces A 1  to A 4 , among which adjacent faces A 1  and A 2  as well as adjacent faces A 3  and A 4  are respectively connected to each other at an edge between them to form two equilateral quadrilaterals, which are then mirror-symmetrically connected to each other at an edge between them. The second pyramidal part B also includes four right triangular faces B 1  to B 4  and is structurally identical to the first pyramidal part A. To produce from the first cardboard of FIG. 3 a carton having the first and the second pyramidal part A, B, first fold the cardboard along all folding lines or connecting edges among the faces A 1  to A 4 , and then engage the tag  2  provided at one side of the face A 1  with the slit  4  correspondingly provided at one side of the face A 4  to connect the faces A 1  and A 4  together, so that an open-bottomed four-face pyramidal body, that is, the first pyramidal part A, is produced. Thereafter, another open-bottomed four-face pyramidal body, that is, the second pyramidal part B, is similarly produced by folding the cardboard along all folding lines or connecting edges among the faces B 1  to B 4 , and then engage the tag  2  provided at one side of the face B 1  with the slit  4  correspondingly provided at one side of the face B 4  to connect the faces B 1  and B 4  together.  
     [0037]FIG. 5 shows a carton produced in the above steps described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 is used to package the Transformable Pyramid  10 . The Transformable Pyramid  10  consists of a plurality of elements that can be freely assembled in many different ways. With the specially designed geometrical shapes, these elements could be assembled together to produce an eight-face dual-pyramid body, as shown in FIG. 6. After a carton having the above-described open-bottomed first and second pyramidal parts A, B is produced, the fully assembled Transformable Pyramid  10  is positioned in the first pyramidal part A, as shown in FIG. 7, and then the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A to enclose the Transformable Pyramid  10  between the parts A and B, as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 3, there are still other tags  2  separately provided on outer edges of the faces B 2 , B 3 , and B 4 , and other slits  4  separately provided on outer edges of the faces A 2 , A 3 , and A 4 . When the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A, the tags  2  on the faces B 2 , B 3 , and B 4  are adapted to engage with the slits on the faces A 2 , A 3 , and A 4 , and thereby lock the second pyramidal part B to the first pyramidal part A, keeping the carton in the form of an eight-face dual-pyramidal body that is best suitable for packaging and protecting the Transformable Pyramid  10  against becoming undesirably damaged and separated elements.  
     [0038] Please refer to FIGS. 9 and 10. It is possible to print on front and reverse sides of the eight faces of the cardboard for producing the carton of the present invention instructions C for use of the Transformable Pyramid  10  and color strips D representing the Transformable Pyramid  10  to highlight the beauty of product, that is, the Transformable Pyramid, enclosed in the carton, so that the carton is more suitable for display to promote selling of the enclosed product. FIG. 11 shows a completed carton of the present invention with instructions C and color strips D printed thereon to achieve the purposes of packaging, displaying, and providing operation guide at the same time.  
     [0039]FIG. 12 shows a large number of the fully extended cardboards having specially arranged eight right triangular faces for producing the eight-face dual-pyramid carton of the present invention can be orderly stacked to occupy a largely reduced space that facilitates transportation, storage, and manufacture of the dual-pyramid cartons at reduced costs.  
     [0040] FIGS.  13  to  15 ,  16  to  18 ,  19  to  21 ,  22  to  24 , and  25  to  27  sequentially illustrate another five embodiments of the cardboard for producing the eight-face dual-pyramid carton of the present invention.  
     [0041] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS.  13  to  15 , the cardboard includes a first group of faces A 1  to A 4  and a second group of faces B 1  to B 4  (see FIG. 13) for forming a first pyramidal part A and a second pyramidal part B, respectively, of the carton. The faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are eight sequentially connected right triangles. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. After the first and the second group of faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are separately folded along the folding lines provided thereon, the two faces A 1 , A 4  and the two faces BI, B 4  are respectively connected together by engaging tags  2  with slits  4  correspondingly provided at outer edges of the faces A 1 , A 4  and the faces B 1 , B 4  to produce two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies, that is, the first and the second pyramidal part A, B, as shown in FIG. 14. The completed first and second pyramidal parts A, B are connected to each other at the edge between the faces A 2  and B 2 , as shown in FIG. 15. When the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A, it is possible to engage tags  2  provided on the faces B 1 , B 3 , and B 4  with slits on the faces A 1 , A 3 , and A 4  to lock the second pyramidal part B to the first pyramidal part A and thereby keep the carton in the form of the eight-face dual-pyramidal body.  
     [0042] In the third embodiment shown in FIGS.  16  to  18 , the cardboard includes a first group of faces A 1  to A 4  and a second group of faces B 1  to B 4  (see FIG. 16) for forming a first pyramidal part A and a second pyramidal part B, respectively, of the carton. The faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are eight sequentially connected right triangles. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. After the first and the second group of faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are separately folded along the folding lines provided thereon, the two faces A 1 , A 4  and the two faces B 1 , B 4  are respectively connected together by engaging tags  2  with slits  4  correspondingly provided at outer edges of the faces A 1 , A 4  and the faces B 1 , B 4  to produce two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies, that is, the first and the second pyramidal part A, B, as shown in FIG. 17. The completed first and second pyramidal parts A, B are connected to each other at the edge between the faces A 2  and B 3 , as shown in FIG. 18. When the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A, it is possible to engage tags  2  provided on the faces B 1 , B 2 , and B 4  with slits on the faces A 4 , A 1 , and A 3  to lock the second pyramidal part B to the first pyramidal part A and thereby keep the carton in the form of the eight-face dual-pyramidal body.  
     [0043] In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS.  19  to  21 , the cardboard includes a first group of faces A 1  to A 4  and a second group of faces B 1  to B 4  (see FIG. 19) for forming a first pyramidal part A and a second pyramidal part B, respectively, of the carton. The faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are eight sequentially connected right triangles. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. After the first and the second group of faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are separately folded along the folding lines provided thereon, the two faces A 1 , A 4  and the two faces B 1 , B 4  are respectively connected together by engaging tags  2  with slits  4  correspondingly provided at outer edges of the faces A 1 , A 4  and the faces B 1 , B 4  to produce two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies, that is, the first and the second pyramidal part A, B, as shown in FIG. 20. The completed first and second pyramidal parts A, B are connected to each other at the edge between the faces A 1  and B 2 , as shown in FIG. 21. When the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A, it is possible to engage tags  2  provided on the faces B 1 , B 3 , and B 4  with slits on the faces A 2 , A 4 , and A 3  to lock the second pyramidal part B to the first pyramidal part A and thereby keep the carton in the form of the eight-face dual-pyramidal body.  
     [0044] In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS.  22  to  24 , the cardboard includes a first group of faces A 1  to A 4  and a second group of faces B 1  to B 4  (see FIG. 22) for forming a first pyramidal part A and a second pyramidal part B, respectively, of the carton. The faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are eight sequentially connected right triangles. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. After the first and the second group of faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are separately folded along the folding lines provided thereon, the two faces A 1 , A 4  and the two faces B 1 , B 4  are respectively connected together by engaging tags  2  with slits  4  correspondingly provided at outer edges of the faces A 1 , A 4  and the faces B 1 , B 4  to produce two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies, that is, the first and the second pyramidal part A, B, as shown in FIG. 23. The completed first and second pyramidal parts A, B are connected to each other at the edge between the faces A 1  and B 1 , as shown in FIG. 24. When the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A, it is possible to engage tags  2  provided on the faces B 2 , B 3 , and B 4  with slits on the faces A 4 , A 3 , and A 2  to lock the second pyramidal part B to the first pyramidal part A and thereby keep the carton in the form of the eight-face dual-pyramidal body.  
     [0045] In the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS.  25  to  27 , the cardboard includes a first group of faces A 1  to A 4  and a second group of faces B 1  to B 4  (see FIG. 25) for forming a first pyramidal part A and a second pyramidal part B, respectively, of the carton. The faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are eight sequentially connected right triangles. An edge between any two adjacent faces is a folding line along which the cardboard may be folded. After the first and the second group of faces A 1  to A 4  and B 1  to B 4  are separately folded along the folding lines provided thereon, the two faces A 1 , A 4  and the two faces B 1 , B 4  are respectively connected together by engaging tags  2  with slits  4  correspondingly provided at outer edges of the faces A 1 , A 4  and the faces B 1 , B 4  to produce two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies, that is, the first and the second pyramidal part A, B, as shown in FIG. 26. The completed first and second pyramidal parts A, B are connected to each other at the edge between the faces A 1  and B 3 , as shown in FIG. 27. When the second pyramidal part B is closed onto the first pyramidal part A, it is possible to engage tags  2  provided on the faces B 1 , B 2 , and B 4  with slits on the faces A 3 , A 2 , and A 4  to lock the second pyramidal part B to the first pyramidal part A and thereby keep the carton in the form of the eight-face dual-pyramidal body.  
     [0046] In brief, the present invention is a carton serving as a package for a Transformable Pyramid, which is a built-up type intellectual teaching aid, and being produced from a cardboard divided two groups of four right triangular faces for folding into first and second pyramidal parts, respectively; and the first and the second pyramidal parts in the folded state provide two open-bottomed four-face pyramidal bodies connected and closable to each other to fitly enclose the Transformable Pyramid therein. And, instructions of use and color strips showing outer appearance of the Transformable Pyramid may be printed on front and reverse surfaces of the eight faces of the carton to highlight the packaged product.  
     [0047] The following are some of the advantages of the present invention:  
     [0048] 1. The cardboard for producing the carton is minimized to meet the requirement of environmental protection.  
     [0049] 2. Storage space and manufacturing and freight costs for the carton are reduced.  
     [0050] 3. The carton is adapted to fitly package the product and thereby protect the packaged product from becoming undesirably damaged and separated elements.  
     [0051] 4. The carton with instructions of use of the Transformable Pyramid printed on both sides enables saving of additional cost for printing separate instruction sheets.  
     [0052] 5. The carton has shape and dimensions matching with those of the packaged product and is printed with color strips representing the Transformable Pyramid to highlight the beauty of the packaged product, and is therefore helpful in display and promotion of the packaged product.  
     [0053] 6. Cardboard before being folded into the cartons can be orderly stacked.  
     [0054] 7. The carton in a fully extended state may be kept as a useful operating manual instead of being arbitrarily discarded.