GB2287500A - A corner clip for boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

A clip 1 extends in two substantially perpendicular directions and comprises two bearings means 3 for abutting two adjacent surfaces of the outside of a box having flaps, and positioning means 5 for engaging the inside of the box, wherein when the clip 1 is applied to a corner of a box the positioning means 5 and bearing means 3 have sufficient strength to grip the box walls and flaps to hold the flaps substantially parallel to the box walls. As a result, the volume occupied by the box is kept as small as possible and the corners of the box are protected against damage. <IMAGE>

Description

A CLIP This invention relates to clips, and in particular to a clip for cardboard boxes or the like having flaps.

Many production systems require assembly of products from a multitude of component parts. The component parts are usually delivered to the manufacturer in boxes which need to be arranged around an assembly point so that the components are readily available to the person assembling the product. As a result, it is important to keep the volume of the boxes carrying the component parts as small as possible.

With this in mind, the applicant has instructed its suppliers to provide components in boxes having specific sizes which can be accommodated in trolleys which can be readily moved round the factory site. To enable the boxes to be stored in the trolleys, it is essential that the flaps of the boxes be kept away from the box opening, which also allows the components to be removed from the boxes more easily.

To facilitate the use of the trolleys as described above, the applicant has developed and designed a clip which can be used with cardboard boxes or the like having flaps to retain the flaps of the box in a neat and tidy fashion away from the opening of the box. As a result, the applicant's production system functions more smoothly.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a clip extending in two substantially perpendicular directions comprising two bearing means for abutting two adjacent surfaces of the outside of a box having flaps and positioning means for engaging the inside of the box, wherein when the clip is applied to a corner of the box the positioning means and bearing means have sufficient strength to grip the box walls and flaps to hold the flaps substantially parallel to the box walls. In this way, the opening of the box is not restricted or hindered, thereby facilitating removal of components therefrom. Furthermore, the box does not take up more than the minimum amount of volume, which is also preferable for the reasons set out above.

Preferably each bearing means is substantially planar. The bearing means could, however, be arcuate or any other shape, provided that a portion thereof abuts a surface of the outside of a box, during use.

Each bearing means may comprise a solid wall, although a frame defining an aperture may alternatively be used.

The two bearing means are preferably joined together, thereby defining substantially a right angle therebetween. The right angle, or corner, defined by the two bearing means will, in use, be positioned adjacent a corner of a box.

The positioning means preferably comprise two substantially planar walls. However, a single pin or stud could, in theory, alternatively be used, the pin or stud simply engaging the inside of the corner defined by two adjacent walls of a box.

If the positioning means comprise planar walls, the walls may be solid, thereby having additional strength.

If the positioning means comprise two walls, the walls are preferably spaced apart adjacent the corner of a box thereby facilitating mounting of the clip on the box corner.

The bearing means and positioning means are preferably joined by webs extending over the box walls, in use.

Although a single clip as herein described could be used to hold two adjacent flaps of a box substantially parallel to the box walls, in practice it is preferable to have clips at each corner of a box to ensure that all four flaps are held firmly in position.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a perspective view from above of a clip according to the present invention.

With reference to the drawing, a clip 1 for a cardboard box or the like having flaps comprises two substantially planar outer walls 3 for abutting flaps of a box (not shown) folded down the outside of walls of a cardboard box. The outer walls 3 are positioned substantially perpendicular to each other and meet at a line which is adjacent a corner of a cardboard box, in use.

The clip 1 further comprises two inner walls 5 substantially parallel to the outer walls 3 and spaced therefrom. The distance between the outer walls 3 and the inner walls 5 is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a cardboard wall and a cardboard flap of a box with a tight fit. In practice, this may be 6 mm or so. The two inner walls 5 define a gap therebetween to facilitate mounting of the clip 1 on the corner of a box, in use.

The outer walls 3 and inner walls 5 of the clip 1 are joined by webs 7 which extend over the walls and flaps of a box, in use. Further, these webs 7 defme the distance that the clip can be pushed onto the corner of the box and also protect the box corner during handling or stacking.

Although the clip 1 shown in the drawing is very square and solid, in theory the edges of the walls could be rounded or curved outwardly to prevent the clip 1 from tearing the cardboard of a box, during application thereto. Furthermore, the walls of the clip 1 do not have to be solid, since they need only to have sufficient strength to grip the box walls and the flaps to hold the flaps substantially parallel to the box walls. With this in mind, a clip 1 may be formed of metal or, alternatively, a suitable type of plastics material. If the clip 1 is manufactured from plastics material, it is preferable injection moulded in one piece.

In use, the clip 1 is applied to a corner of a box after the flaps of a box have been folded down the outside of the box. As a result, the flaps are held against the outside surfaces of the walls of the box substantially parallel to those walls. Although one clip may be used to hold two adjacent flaps in position, and two clips mounted on diagonally opposite corners of a rectangular box may used to hold all four flaps of a box in position, it is preferable for four clips to be used to ensure that all four flaps are held tightly in position.

When the flaps are held in position, the box takes up the minimum amount of space possible. Thus, it is ideal for use in a production system, as described above. Further, when the box is empty or the box needs to be closed, the clips are readily removable from the corners of the box simply by sliding the clips vertically relative to the box. The clips can then be reused on other boxes, if desired.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A clip extending in two substantially perpendicular directions comprising two bearing means for abutting two adjacent surfaces of the outside of a box having flaps and positioning means for engaging the inside of the box, wherein when the clip is applied to a corner of a box the positioning means and bearing means have sufficient strength to grip the box walls and flaps to hold the flaps substantially parallel to the box walls.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bearing means is substantially planar.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each bearing means comprises a solid wall.

4. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two bearing means are joined together.

5. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the positioning means comprise two substantially planar walls.

6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the positioning means comprise two solid walls.

7. A clip as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the two walls of the positioning means are spaced apart.

8. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bearing means and positioning means are joined by webs extending over the box walls, in use.

9. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, which is manufactured from plastics material.

10. A clip as claimed in claim 9, which is injection moulded.

11. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

12. A cardboard box having flaps which are held substantially parallel to the box walls by one or more clips as claimed in any preceding claim.