EP0779223A1

EP0779223A1 - Packaging

Info

Publication number: EP0779223A1
Application number: EP96203469A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriel Decostere
Original assignee: Gamma Trends NV; Maty Shoe NV
Current assignee: Gamma Trends NV; Maty Shoe NV
Priority date: 1995-12-12
Filing date: 1996-12-06
Publication date: 1997-06-18
Also published as: NL1004732C1; BE1009872A6

Abstract

Packaging, characterized in that it consists of a set, formed by a box-shaped packaging element (1) and one or more supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) which can co-operate with the box-shaped packaging element (1) and which allow to give one or more additional functions to the packaging element (1).

Description

This invention relates to a packaging.
It is known that a great number of packaging elements serve only one purpose, namely the packaging of the concerned goods until these goods are brought into service.
The invention aims at a packaging which is useful for different purposes.
To this end the invention relates to a packaging which is composed of a set, formed by a box-shaped packaging element and one or more supplementary transformable elements which can co-operate with the box-shaped packaging element and which allow to give one or more additional functions to the packaging element.
It is clear that a similar packaging offers the advantage that the materials used therein are more usefully applied, because the box-shaped packaging element is not just thrown away anymore.
This packaging also offers the advantage that, by this extra dimension which is given to it, not only the goods, packed in it, appeal to the public, but also the packaging itself, which is a supplementary selling argument
By the fact that the supplementary elements are transformable, the advantage is obtained that these supplementary elements do not necessarily need much space. In a preferred embodiment, these elements will be foldable, more particularly can be laid down in one plane in such a way that they need little or no space at all.
More particularly, it is preferred that the supplementary elements, laid in a flat plane, folded or not, show dimensions which are of such a nature that in this situation these elements fit into the box-shaped packaging element and can be laid down on the bottom of the box-shaped packaging element and thus under the packed material.
According to a variant the supplementary elements can be separately delivered together with the packaging element, for example wrapped in a foil.
The invention is particularly useful in combination with shoe boxes and wine crates, although other applications are not excluded.
The above-mentioned supplementary transformable elements preferably consist of means which allow, in combination with the said box-shaped packaging element, to realize a multifunctional self constructed filing system, whereby the box-shaped element, for example put on its side wall, forms a cabinet. More particularly it is preferred that these transformable elements consist of at least one element which can be transformed into a shelf which fits into the box-shaped packaging element, and more elements which can be transformed into filing trays which can then be put into the filing system which is realized by means of the shelf and which can be used as drawers.
In order to better show the characteristics of this invention, some preferred embodiments are described hereafter, as examples without any limitative character, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

figure 1 represents a box-shaped packaging element from a packaging according to the invention;
figures 2 to 4 represent supplementary transformable elements which among others can constitute a set with the box-shaped packaging element of figure 1;
figures 5 and 6 represent how an element from figure 2 can be folded and can be installed in the box-shaped packaging element;
figures 7 and 8 represent how the elements of figures 3 and 4 can be assembled by folding;
figure 9 represents the obtained unit after assembling of the elements represented in figures 2 to 8;
figure 10 represents one more application of the elements represented in figures 1, 3 and 4;
figures 11 and 12 represent an underneath view of the unfolded and folded situation of a variant of the box-shaped packaging element represented in figure 1.

As represented in figures 1 to 4 the packaging according to this invention consists of a set, which is formed by a box-shaped packaging element 1 and one or more supplementary transformable elements which can co-operate with the box-shaped packaging element 1, three of which, 2-3-4 respectively, are represented in figures 2 to 4.
As represented in the example, the box-shaped packaging element can consist of a shoe box, which can commonly be provided with a cover 5.
The elements 2-3-4 consist of foldable elements and are for example made of a flat plate of cardboard, for example of the same material as the box-shaped element 1.
The represented element 2 is of such a nature that, by folding the latter such as represented in figure 5 and subsequently putting it in the box-shaped packaging element 1 such as represented in figure 6, a shelf 6 is realized.
Preferably and with the aim to give the shelf 6 some stability, the element 2 is made of a rectangular plate provided at the two cross cut extremities with notches 7-8 which extend according to the longitudinal center line of the above-mentioned rectangle, in such a way that the flaps 9-10 and 11-12 formed along both sides of these notches 7-8 by folding them outwardly, constitute supports for the shelf 6, and in such a way that the plane laid in between can be folded double. Hereby the parts 13 and 14 of this plane become positioned one above the other, so that the bearing capacity of the shelf 6 is increased.
It is further preferred that the element 2 is provided with the necessary folding lines 15, which are formed either by perforations, by impression or in any other way.
The elements 3 and 4 are of such a nature that they can be transformed into small filing trays yq 16-17, by folding them such as represented in figures 7 and 8.
As represented in figure 9, the set can comprise yet other elements which allow in this case to realize still more filing trays 18-19-20-21, preferably also from a flat plate, whereby these filing trays can have the same shape or not.
The concerned elements from which these filing trays 16-21 can be formed, including the said elements 3-4, are also provided with the necessary folding lines 22.
The folding lines 15 and 22 can also exclusively consist of markings such as lines which are printed on the concerned elements.
The elements to be folded can be locked in folded position by means of lips 23 which fit into openings 24.
The filing trays can be fully closed at their front wall 25, such as it is the case for the filing trays 16 and 19, or partly open, such as is the case in the represented filing trays 17, 18, 20 and 21. Preferably the unit contains at least a number of filing trays whereby, such as in the represented stow filing trays 17, 18 and 20, only extends partly over the total height and whereby the free edges 26-27 of the side walls slantingly run upwards towards the back.
The filing trays can also be provided with a grip, either in the form of a recess 28 or of an opening 29.
According to yet another possibility this grip can also consist of a lip or similar applied at the front wall 25.
The filing trays 16-21 act as drawers.
In the most preferred embodiment the set preferably comprises one shelf 6 and sixfiling trays 16-21, which can be positioned in two rows of three, one above the other.
Preferably the filing trays 16 to 21 fully or almost fully fill in the space present between the side wall 30 functioning as a bottom board of the box-shaped packaging element 1 and the shelf 6, on the one hand, and between the shelf 6 and the side wall 31 acting as an upper board of the box-shaped packaging element 1, on the other hand.
According to a variant, the filing trays can have a lesser height. According to yet another variant there is no shelf 6 present and use is made of extra deep filinmg trays, for example of three trays which are twice as high as the filing trays 16 to 21 in figure 9.
As represented in figure 10, similar filing trays, for example 16-17-19-21, possibly in combination with the box-shaped packaging element 1, can also be used as display elements for shop-windows, in this case to display shoes 32.
As represented in figures 11 and 12 the box-shaped packaging element 1 need not necessarily be of a specific form, such as is the case in figure 1, but a box-shaped packaging element 1, of a foldable type, can as well be envisaged. The accompanying cover, not represented in the figures, can also be foldable.
It is clear that this invention is not limited to shoe boxes nor to transformable elements, which only allow to form filing trays.
The box-shaped packaging element can indeed be of whatever nature and material. For example, this invention is also useful in the case of wooden wine crates.
It is hereby observed that, departing from shoe boxes, a unit is obtained which is particularly appropriate to be built out as a filing system for domestic and office purposes, whereas departing from a wine crate, a unit is obtained which is more appropriate as a filing system for do-it-yourselfers, to put away screws and the like.
As explained, the said supplementary transformable elements can be foldable, although, according to variants use can also be made of elements which are each composed of different hingedly connected parts or of different separate parts which have to be fitted one into the other, or possibly screwed and/or glued one to the other.
In combination with a box-shaped packaging element 1 which is formed by a shoe box, preferably the supplementary transformable element will also be of cardboard.
With regard to the shelf 6, and if needed also for the elements which form the filing trayus 16-21, use can be made of relatively thin corrugated cardboard or other relative stiff cardboard, with the aim to realize a unit which is sufficiently resistant against bending. The height of the lips 23 can then be restricted to the thickness of the corrugated cardboard, in such a way thatthey do not protrude from the openings 24 when assembled and consequently cannot hinder.
Other ideal materials for similar elements are synthetic material, metal en wood. Wood is particularly indicated in the case that the packaging element is a crate.
The whole can be provided with printing or covered with a printed layer, with for example heavy coloured patterns, so that the filing system is obtained for putting away stationary and similar which is particularly appropriate for children.
The article according to the invention is an ideal promotional article. Indeed, the filing trays or similar can be provided with a trade mark or logo.
It is clear that also use can be made of supplementary transformable elements which can have functions other than the assembling of filing trays.
The delivery of the unit can be accompanied by linking and/or positioning means, for example stitching means such as self-adhesive strips, joining pins, etc. The packaging element and the supplementary elements can also be provided with protrusions or recesses that fit in each other
The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described as an example and represented in the figures, but a similar packaging can be realized in different forms and dimension without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

Packaging, characterized in that it consists of a set, formed by a box-shaped packaging element (1) and one or more supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) which can co-operate with the box-shaped packaging element (1) and which allow to give one or more additional functions to the packaging element (1).
Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the box-shaped packaging element (1) consists of a shoe box.
Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the box-shaped packaging element (1) consists of a wine crate, preferably made of wood.
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) consist of foldable elements.
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) can be laid together when flat.
Packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4), laid in a flat plane, folded or not, have dimensions of such a nature that these elements (2-3-4) fit into the box-shaped packaging (1).
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) consist of cardboard, wood or synthetic material.
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) consist of means which, in combination with the said box-shaped packaging element (1), form a multifunctional self contructed filing system, whereby the box-shaped packaging element (1) acts as a cabinet.
Packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that it contains an element (2) which, by folding it, forms a shelf (6) which fits into the box-shaped element (1).
Packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that the said element (2) consists of a rectangular plate provided at the two cross cut extremities with notches (7-8) which extend according to the longitudinally directed center line of the said rectangle, in such a way that the flaps (9-10 and 11-12) formed along the sides of these notches (7-8), by bending them outwardly, constitute supports for the shelf (6) and in such a way that the plane in between can be folded double.
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises elements (2-3-4) which can be transformed into filing trays (16-17-18-19-20-21) in the form of drawers.
Packaging according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a number of filing trays (16-17-18-19-20-21) whereby one or more of these filing trays have one or more of the following characteristics :
- a front side (25) extending over the full height of the filing tray (16-19);

- a front side (25) extending only partly over the height of the filing trays (17-18-20-21);

- side walls with edges running slantingly upwards towards the back (26-27);

- a front side (25) to which a grip (28-29) is applied.
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with supplementary transformable elements (2-3-4) which allow to transform the box-shaped element (1) into a filing cabinet with two rows of three filing trays (16-17-18-19-20-21).
Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises supplementary transformable elements which form display elements for shop-windows.