EP0434102A1

EP0434102A1 - Stackable box for transporting fruit and the like

Info

Publication number: EP0434102A1
Application number: EP90200406A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eleuterio Girona Alepuz
Original assignee: Frutas Ballester SA
Current assignee: Frutas Ballester SA
Priority date: 1989-12-20
Filing date: 1990-03-01
Publication date: 1991-06-26
Also published as: ES2019000A6; NO901485D0; PT93253A; NO901485L

Abstract

It is obtained from a single cardboard sheet with slots and diecuts which form the different parts which, by folding, permit the forming of the box.

The particular feature of this box lies in its final shape which results with the base or bottom 1 shorter than its opening, and because in said opening two resistent edges, (11) vertical prolongation of the respective front ends, are produced. The base of a stacked box fits in between them. Four triangular platforms (14) which partially close the angles of the opening of the box at a height less than that of the resistent edges, which constitute the retaining means of the stacked boxes, serve as a support.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a stackable box for transporting fruit and the like, obtained from a slot and diecut sheet of cardboard, in order to obtain stacking in such a way that the boxes rest on each other very safely and efficiently, improving the conditions of transporting the products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large amounts of boxes obtained from a slot and diecut sheet of cardboard which by means of folding of the different parts form a tray-like structure, are known in the prior art.
Generally, all the boxes are rectangular and parallelepiped and by means of folding of inner overlaps, the formation of inner dead angles constituting the angular columns on which the stacked boxes sit is obtained.
In other cases, some platforms where the stacked boxes sit are obtained upon the front ends or narrowest side of the box, and in order to set this position, the front ends are provided with some flaps or tongues and this is very weak because said flaps are simple vertical cardboard extensions. When the boxes are handled during transportation it is normal that the flaps are deformed and this happens even more when the boxes become wet from the juice released from the fruit itself.
From this it is inferred that said retaining system is neither secure nor stable enough.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve said problem, the invention proposes a stackable box for transporting fruit and the like which, like the majority of them made out of cardboard, is obtained from a slot and diecut sheet, with which all the elements of a tray-shaped box are formed.
The particular feature of this box lies in the fact that its final form results with the base or bottom shorter than the top part or opening and because in said opening two resistent edges, vertical prolongation of the respective front ends, between which the base of a stacked box fits tightly, are produced.
In this stacking, the stacked box rests on partial platforms obtained in the corners of the opening of the box and linked to the front end and sides of the box simultaneously.
This is all obtained by the design that is especially given to the cardboard sheet by means of slots and diecuts, with which the parts to be folded are obtained along the folding lines.
In effect, the bottom of the box, the sides, with the corresponding reinforcement overlaps of the front ends, are obtained from a cardboard sheet. The overlaps have their top part extended in order to form a fold within the front ends, linked to the smaller sides of the bottom, whose front ends extend in an extension of the same width as the front end, in whose fold a back which hides inside it the extensions of the side overlaps, is formed.
It is to be observed that the folding lines of the overlaps of the sides have a slightly diverging direction so that in the assembly, the opening of the box is longer than the bottom, specifically a distance equal to the sum of the thickness of the back of the two front ends.
Between the front ends and their prolongation, there is a trimmed section which determines four triangular areas, two of each front end, which constitute angular platforms at the level of the edge of the opening of the box and lower than the backs of the front ends. These triangular overlaps are linked to other rectangular ones which couple outside over the sides and have some spear tip tongues, by which it is fixed in the trimmed sections provided in the confluence of thesides with the bottom, whose trimmed sections are provided with retaining flaps of the spears.
The overlaps in which the front ends prolong and which upon folding inward form the retaining backs are provided with opposite finger type extensions, for adjustment and retention thereof in eyelets arranged along the folding line of the sides with the overlaps that remain inside the front end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of a better understanding of the above, the present specification is accompanied by a set of drawings in which the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Plan view of the development of the cardboard sheet as of which the box is formed.
Figure 2.- Perspective view of the sheet when the folding of its parts for the formation of the box begins.
Figure 3.- Perspective view of an assembled box, ready to be used, where one can see the retaining backs and the angular support platforms for a stacked box.
Figure 4.- Detail of the stacking of two boxes where one can see the retaining effect that the backs projecting from the front ends exert, upon remaining fitted outside upon the base of the ones of the stacked box.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As has been described above and as is shown in said drawings, the box object of the invention is formed from a cardboard sheet, from which the bottom (1); sides (2) and (3), with a folding line upon the bottom, which extend in both overlaps (4) and (5) which remain marked by folding lines (6) and (7) forming edges diverging from the sides that determine that in the fold at the inside of the front ends (8) and (9), respectively, the opening of the box results longer than the bottom (1), are obtained in a single piece.
In turn the extensions (4) and (5) have in the top edge, an extension (10) for each overlap, which approximately cover half of its edge. This overlap folds angularly within the front ends reinforcing inside the back (11) which is formed upon folding upon the corresponding front end the overlaps (12) and (13) of each one. The back occupies the central part of the front end and from each one of its ends a triangular extension (14) which upon folding towards the inside forms corresponding angular platforms (see figure 3), emerges.
The platforms themselves extend jointly in overlaps (15) that drop outside the sides (2) and (3) totally covering them and reinforcing them as a double wall. The securing of these overlaps is done by means of spear tip tongues (16) that are inserted in trimmed sections (17) provided in the edge of the bottom with the sides, in whose trimmed sections retaining teeth (18) and (19) are formed.
The overlaps (12) and (13) which reinforce the front ends inside, have in their two opposite sides flaps (20) and (21) which fit in the trimmed sections (22) and (23) provided close to the edges (5) and (6) of the sides.
The advantages that are obtained with this box mainly derive from the structure determined by the conjunction of the different parts that reinforce the side walls and front ends, aside from the security that the backs offer in stacking upon retaining the stacked box by its base.

Claims

Stackable box for transporting fruit and the like, which is formed from a cardboard sheet with slots and diecuts by which the different parts which, by folding, form the walls and front ends, are formed, and which is characterized because the assembled box has the bottom or base (2) shorter than the opening, upon the front ends (8) having a diverging slant, while the front ends themselves (8) extend in the top in two resistent edges (11) between which the base (1) of a stacked base couples. Four triangular platforms (14) which partially close the angles of the opening of the box, at a height lower than that of the resistent edges (1) serve as a support base for the stacked box.
Stackable box for transporting fruit and the like, in accordance with claim 1, characterized because the diverging position of the front ends is obtained by means of diverging folding lines (6) and (7) made between the sides (2) and (3) and the overlaps (4) and (5) in which they extend by their ends.
Stackable box for transporting fruit and the like, in accordance wth claims 1 and 2, characterized because the resistent edges (11) between which the base (1) of a stacked box is coupled, are obtained in a center prolongation which joins the front ends (8) and (9) to end extensions (12) and (13), which fold inward, gripping the overlaps (4) and (5) of the sides, in whose high part, extensions (10) are produced, one for each overlap, which fold angularly with the back (11) that forms the edge, which become very resistent.
Stackable box for transporting fruit and the like, in accordance with claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized because the triangular platforms (14) which partially close the angles of the opening of the box at a height lower than that of the resistent edges (11) and which serve as the support for a stacked box, are jointly obtained from the top edge of the front ends (8) and (9) in the top part thereof, a folding line limiting them; these platforms being extended at their longer side in another overlap (15) of dimensions equal to half of the sides (2) and (3), to which it backs outside in order to form a double wall; being secured in its position by means of spear tip tongues (16) which are made to penetrate in grooves (17) provided in the edges of confluence of the base and the sides.