Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
  • B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
  • B65D11/182—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected comprising two side walls hinged along the sides of a base panel and to an upper frame and two other side walls being hinged only to the upper frame
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D15/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials
  • B65D15/22—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials of polygonal cross-section
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D15/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials
  • B65D15/24—Connections between walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
  • B65D55/06—Deformable or tearable wires, strings or strips; Use of seals
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means

Definitions

• the invention relates to a folding box comprising a tamper-evident lock.
• foldable plastic crates there are well-known foldable plastic crates. These are known in "industrial quality" and used for instance for shipping goods and for instance vegetables to shops. Other known foldable crates are for consumers, for holding groceries for bringing them home.
• Examples of known folding or foldable crates are the following.
• US2181918 states: "The present invention relates to collapsible storage files which are adapted to be shipped in collapsed of knocked-down condition, of the type consisting of a shell or casing and a drawer member movable therein, and more specifically, to the construction of the casing member of such file.”
• US1468229 of 1921 relates to a box that can be stored or shipped flat. It describes: "The tubular funnel furnishing the four side walls 10 of my improved box, which walls meet at the edges 11, these being rectangular in the completed box, is formed from a strip of pasteboard or like suitable material, with its ends overlapped and secured by a row of staples 12 or other fasteners. Each of the opposite heads or end walls 13 has, at three edges, flanges 14 formed by bending said edges along lines produced by indentations or otherwise weakened portions impressed in the material of the head.
• each head the flange is longer than those of the associated edges, including an inner portion 16 bent upon a line 17 between the flange and the body of the head, and an outer portion 18 divided from the flange-portion 16 by a weakened line 19.
• the lines 17 and 19 are so impressed in the head material that the flanges naturally bend in opposite directions.”
• a collapsible container includes opposed side walls hingedly connected along their upper and lower edges respectively to the bottom of a rectangular peripheral upper rim and to the bottom of the container along opposed side edges of the rim and bottom.
• End walls are hingedly connected along their upper edges to the rim along its opposed end edges.
• Webs along the end edges of the side walls and bottom engage the end walls to locate the end walls in their vertical erected position relative to the bottom, and projecting tabs on the end walls are received in mating recesses in the web to maintain the bottom and side walls against flexing when the container is erected.
• the upper rim is adapted to receive a stacking rail formed on the container bottom to enable stacking of the containers either in their erected or collapsed configuration.
• the container may include a pair of cover panels hinged along their respective outer side edges to the tops of the side edges of the rim.
• the end edges of the cover panels are formed with rim receiving grooves on their lower sides which snugly receive the end edges of the rim when the cover panels are closed.
• the cover panels are formed with a stacking rail receiving recess in their upper surfaces.”
• WO2023146397 of the current applicant relates to: "... a folding box comprising a plate having at least two plate hinges providing three hinging walls providing a bottom wall and hingingly coupled to that bottom wall a front wall and a back wall, and opposite end parts providing opposite end frames and respective opposite side walls hingingly coupled to a said respective end frame, each said end frame comprising oppositely a front wall frame member coupled to said front wall and a back wall frame member coupled to said back wall, and oppositely a bottom wall frame member coupled to said bottom wall and an upper frame member, wherein said front wall frame member and said back wall frame member are hingingly coupled to said bottom wall frame member and said upper frame member.”
• a transport/storage box has a floor having side and end edges and side and end walls having lower edges hinged on the side and end edges of the floor and upper edges.
• the walls are movable between down positions lying atop one another on the floor and up positions projecting upward from the respective floor edges.
• An annular frame is fittable in the up positions with the upper edges of the side and end walls with the upper edges bearing outward on the frame.
• a cover sits atop the frame. Latch elements engageable from above downwardly through the cover and frame with the upper edges of walls anchor the cover and frame to the walls.”
• a disadvantage of the prior art is that these boxes are not suited for sending sensitive material, like orders from for instance (web)shops or stores, special supplies, samples. Furthermore, the boxes of the prior art do not allow save resending with or/of return or point articles.
• a folding box from a polymer material comprising a lid and a tamper-evident lock, said tamper-evident lock having an open position in which it does not block opening said lid, a closed position in which it blocks opening said lid, and comprising a lock element coupling said further tamper-evident lock and said further folding box via a breakable coupling.
• a method for sending articles comprising providing a box with a tamper-evident lock having a lock element coupling said tamper-evident latch and said further box via a breakable coupling, and providing a further, similar lock element in said box for re-locking said tamper-evident lock
• kit of parts comprising a folding box comprising a lid and a tamper-evident lock, said tamper-evident lock having an open position in which it does not block opening said lid, a closed position in which it blocks opening said lid, and comprising a lock element coupling said further tamper-evident lock and said further folding box via a breakable coupling and a series of locking elements further comprising a through hole through said tamper-evident lock and said further folding box, in particular through said latch and said further folding box, wherein said lock element providing a plug for plugging said through hole, in particular having a lock element top part, a lock element end part and a lock element stem, dimensioned for said lock element in tamper-evident lock position to have the lock element stem extending through said through hole with said lock element top part and said lock element end part resting outside opposite ends of said through hole.
• a locking element shaped as a pin with breakable blocking parts for providing a tamper-evident lock for a box with a lid, the pin providing a breakable coupling between the further tamper-evident lock and the further box.
• a folding box comprising a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a front and rear wall together defining an inner volume, the side walls hingingly coupled near the bottom wall via a side wall hinge for allowing the side walls to swing into the inner volume, and opposite upper frame members positioned along a respective one of the side wall edges opposite its side wall hinge, and a side wall lock provided on the upper frame members having an open position in which it does not block swinging said side wall, a closed position in which it blocks swinging said side wall, in the closed position engaging the side wall edge of the side wall that is opposite its side wall hinge.
• This folding box folds within its bottom wall footprint, but in its unfolded state is ridged.
• the lid is hingingly coupled with the folding box, and the tamper-evident lock in said open position does not block swinging said lid open, and in said closed position blocking swinging said lid open.
• the hingingly coupling of the lid more securely couples the lid with the further folding box.
• the tamper-evident lock comprises a tamper-evident ledge, in particular said tamper-evident ledge is hingingly coupled via a ledge hinge with said further folding box.
• a flap or strip is provided that can rotate about a hinge.
• the folding box further comprising a through hole through said tamper-evident lock and said further folding box, in particular through said ledge and said further folding box. This allows a reusable tamper-evident sealing or locking.
• a lock element In an embodiment of the folding box, a lock element is provided.
• the lock element provides a plug for plugging said through hole.
• it has a lock element top part, a lock element end part and a lock element stem, dimensioned for said lock element in tamper-evident lock position to have the lock element stem extending through said through hole with said lock element top part and said lock element end part resting outside opposite ends of said through hole.
• the folding box comprises a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a front and rear wall together defining an inner volume.
• the side walls are hingingly/hingedly coupled near the bottom wall via a side wall hinge. This allows the side walls to swing into the inner volume.
• the tamper-evident lock is provided on at least one of the upper frame members. More in particular, one of the tamper-evident locks is provided on each of the upper frame members.
• the tamper-evident lock comprises a blocking means of blocking the side wall from swinging.
• the means for blocking comprises at least one cam for blocking the side wall from swinging.
• in said closed position of said tamper-evident lock the cam engaging a side wall edge opposite the side wall hinge and in said open position the cam being at a distance from said side wall edge. This allows the side wall to swing inward of the folding box. This provides a robust and easy to operate tamper-evident lock.
• the lid has a hinge side that is hingingly coupled to the further folding box via a hinge opposite the bottom wall. This makes the lid closure more secure. Furthermore, it allows the tamper-evident lock to securely lock the lid in its closed position.
• the lid comprises two lid halves, each lid halve coupled to the further folding box via a hinge.
• the folding box when comprising the upper frame member, the upper frame member comprises a support ledge for engaging the lid in its closed position. More in particular the support ledge supports the lid to rest functionally parallel to the bottom wall. More in particular the tamper-evident lock in its closed position locking said lid on said support ledge. In this way, it is possible to fixate the lid between the support ledge and the tamper-evident lock.
• the folding box comprises a plate having at least two plate hinges providing three hinging walls providing a bottom wall and hingingly coupled to that bottom wall a front wall and a back wall.
• the folding box further comprises opposite end parts providing opposite end frames and respective opposite side walls hingingly coupled to a said respective end frame.
• each said end frame comprising oppositely a front wall frame member coupled to said front wall and a back wall frame member coupled to said back wall, and oppositely a bottom wall frame member coupled to said bottom wall and an upper frame member.
• the front wall frame member and the back wall frame member are hingingly coupled to the bottom wall frame member and the upper frame member.
• two ends of the plate each comprise a further hinge at a distance of the end. The plate parts from those hinges form two lid parts.
• each said side wall is hingingly coupled to one of the frame members.
• the folding box has an operational or unfolded or erected condition or state in which it is block-shaped with an inner container space, and a folded or collapsed condition or state.
• the front wall frame member, the back wall frame member, the bottom wall frame member and the upper frame member in said unfolded condition functionally form sides of the end frame which is rectangular.
• the frame members of an end part in the unfolded condition framing the side wall of the end part. More in particular the wall frame members are hingingly coupled at their ends.
• the frame members are elongated, defining a longitudinal direction.
• the wall frame members are hingingly coupled via frame member hinges at their ends.
• the frame member hinges have a rotational axis functionally perpendicular to their longitudinal direction, allowing the wall frame members to unfold from a parallelogram into a rectangular-shaped end frame in the unfolded condition.
• the wall frame members are hingingly coupled via the frame member hinges at their ends to be folded or collapsed into the folded position with the upper frame member having its longitudinal axis functionally parallel to the longitudinal axis of one selected from the hingingly coupled front frame member and the hingingly coupled back frame member.
• the tamper-evident lock is coupled to one of the wall frame members. In particular, it is coupled to the upper frame member.
• the folding box comprises a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and a front and rear wall together defining an inner volume.
• the bottom wall, side walls rear wall and front wall are hingingly coupled near the bottom wall. This allows the walls to swing into the inner volume.
• the front wall and rear wall are divided in two parts and are coupled by a side wall hinge having its hinging axis parallel to the bottom wall, the side wall hinge adapted for plying its side wall to the inner volume.
• this folding box further comprising an upper frame member coupling the front wall and the rear wall end extending along an edge of the side wall opposite of its hingingly coupled edge.
• the tamper-evident lock is provided on the upper frame member.
• At least two lock elements are provided, including a first lock element for tamper-evidently locking the box for a delivery and a second lock element for temper-evidently locking the box for returning, wherein the first and second lock elements are visually distinct from one another.
• the current tamper-evident lock allows re-used of the tamper-evident provision of a box, in particular a folding box.
• a folding box comprising a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a front and rear wall together defining an inner volume, the side walls hingingly coupled near the bottom wall via a side wall hinge for allowing the side walls to swing into the inner volume, and opposite upper frame members positioned along a respective one of the side wall edges opposite its side wall hinge, and a side wall lock provided on the upper frame members having an open position in which it does not block swinging said side wall, a closed position in which it blocks swinging said side wall, in the closed position engaging the side wall edge of the side wall that is opposite its side wall hinge.
• the side wall locks are provided on each of the opposite upper frame members.
• the upper frame members are provided with an engagement ledge for blocking outward swing of the side walls.
• the side wall lock comprises a side wall lock ledge hingingly coupled via a hinge on the upper frame member allowing the lock ledge to hinge between the open and closed position, the lock ledge comprising a lock ledge cam for engaging the side wall edge in the closed position of the lock ledge.
• the cam has a slanted side and side wall having a cooperating slanted part.
• the cam and the slanted side wall edge part are mutually adapted for form-locking the side wall. More in particular they apply an outward force on the side wall edge.
• the front wall and rear wall are divided in two parts coupled by a wall hinge having its hinging axis parallel to the bottom wall, the side wall hinge adapted for plying the front wall and rear wall to the inner volume.
• substantially herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art.
• the term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed.
• the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%.
• the term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”.
• the term “functionally” is intended to cover variations in the feature to which it refers, and which variations are such that in the functional use of the feature, possibly in combination with other features it relates to in the invention, that combination of features is able to operate or function. For instance, if an antenna is functionally coupled or functionally connected to a communication device, received electromagnetic signals that are receives by the antenna can be used by the communication device.
• the word “functionally” as for instance used in “functionally parallel” is used to cover exactly parallel, but also the embodiments that are covered by the word “substantially” explained above.
• “functionally parallel” relates to embodiments that in operation function as if the parts are for instance parallel. This covers embodiments for which it is clear to a skilled person that it operates within its intended field of use as if it were parallel.
• the invention further applies to an apparatus or device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.
• the invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.
• the tamper-evident lock can be applied to a general box. As will be demonstrated in the following drawings, the current tamper-evident lock is in particular useful when applied to a folding box. In the description below, it will be demonstrated how the tamper-evident lock can be used to not only lock the lid, but also to lock or to prevent folding a folding box 1.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 can be used in an embodiment of a folding box 1 that is patented by the current applicant. For that reason, the description and drawings of WO2023146397 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in the current application. Below, it will further be illustrated how the tamper-evident lock can be applied to a more common folding box.
• a main difference is the hinge position of side walls 9, which are inward hinging walls.
• the side wall hinge 10 is not provided at the top near the lid 19, but at the bottom near bottom wall 4.
• the current tamper-evident lock can be used also for other folding box designs, as figures 3 and 4 illustrate for a more common folding box with a pliable wall that has a center hinge 26 and that plies inwardly.
• Figure 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a folding box 1 with tamper-evident lock 30, with lids 19 in closed position and the tamper-evident lock 30 locked. This folding is largely similar to the folding box of WO2023146397 , as already explained.
• Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the folding box 1 with temper-evident lock 30 with the tamper-evident lock 30 in unlocked position and the lids 19 in open position, showing the inner container space I.
• the side walls 9 are not folded internal (indicated I) into the folding box 1.
• An advantage of the current folding box 1 with it particular way of folding is that it makes it possible to fold the box 1 in a folded position having a thickness of approximately three time the thickness of a wall.
• the folding box 1 and its various properties that is illustrated in this description and especially the drawings 1 and 2 also has aspects that are a matter of design choice and not a technical matter. These aspects are protectable and are protected using a registered design. Stackability and lining may be part of such design selections.
• Figure 4 depicts the plano of the plate 2 of the folding box of figure 1 .
• FIG. 1 A specially designed plano 2 with folding/fold lines 16 and plate hinges 3, and opposite end parts 7 attached to opposite side edges of the plano 2 make it possible to design a folding box 1 that is easy to use, can be folded flat and in folded position has a limited surface.
• WO2023146397 allows engineering of a folding box 1 of various materials. It was found, however, that making the end parts 7 from polymer material, commonly called “plastic”, allows mass production, but also careful selection of material suited for a use. For instance, injection moulding allows mass production, but also additive manufacture (e.g., 3D printing) can make that possible.
• polymer material commonly called “plastic”
• injection moulding allows mass production, but also additive manufacture (e.g., 3D printing) can make that possible.
• the end parts 7 are from a thermoplastic material, allowing for instance easy recycling. In case of high demands, the material can be reinforced. These materials as such, and specific selection, are known to a skilled person.
• the selection of the sheet material is in particular interesting as it determines much of the properties of the folding box.
• One choice is paper, cardboard, pulp, moulded fiber, corrugated cardboard, and the like.
• sheet/plate material Even more sophisticated sheet/plate material may be used. For instance reinforced polymer, plate material having reinforcement ribs and structures, and the like may be used. Even, in specific uses, metal sheet or metal-plated plate material can be thought of.
• a polymer plate can provide a folding box 1 that can be light weight, and still has beneficial properties. It can, for instance, provide a (folding) box that at least has many of the properties that a cardboard box has without some of the drawbacks. For instance, water resistant and even water tight. Rodent prove of at least insect-prove. It can be almost as easy to recycle. Light-weight, even lighter than cardboard. It always folding into a thin folded box, even allowing higher stacking.
• a particularly preferable material is a polymer plate comprising two opposite sheets of polymer material. Such sheets can have designed properties. Such sheets are interspaced and are attached to one another, a little like corrugated cardboard plate material. Interspaced sheets can be thermally coupled, for instance welded, via or using a polymer corrugated sheet, thus for instance providing three coupled sheets.
• the coupling is a foamed material, as such known to a skilled person. Alternatively, a sheet with a foamed core can be used.
• the thickness of the plate is often 1-10 mm, allows a certain rigidity.
• the material is 1-7 mm.
• the material is 1-6 mm.
• a particularly beneficial plate material is a material comprising polymer sheets interconnected through a waved sheet.
• a plate can be made from polypropylene, for instance. When the end parts are made from the same polymer, recycling is even easier.
• An example of suitable material is a plate material known as akyboard ® produced by company Corplex.
• Figure 4 shows a plano 2 for use in the current folding box 1. It is possible to only use "folding lines", i.e., thinned material lines that allow folding. This will make folding the folding box requiring more force.
• the plate material plane is thinned using a hot press until a "living hinge” is formed.
• the living hinges are known to be able to flex thousands of times without breaking.
• Figure 4 of WO2023146397 shows plate 2 forming a plano for the current folding box 1. It is here substantially rectangular and in the current embodiment has opposite short sides and opposite long sides which will provide the long sides or edges for later on attaching the end parts.
• the plate 2 may even be rectangular or with the "long sides" shorter that the current " short sides, which will provide a folding box of less usual dimensional ratios.
• the plano 2 provides a bottom wall 4 for the folding box 1.
• the bottom wall 4 is bounded by plate hinges 3 which are in this plano formed by the already explained living hinges.
• These plate hinges 3 have mutually parallel rotational axes (not indicated, but seem evident), and are mutually parallel. Usually, these plate hinges 3 run functionally perpendicular to the long sides.
• the current plano 2 further comprises a fold line or plate fold line 16 again parallel to the plate hinges 3. It is at a distance from a plate hinge 3, here between plate hinges 3 bounding the bottom wall 4.
• providing the two plate hinges 3 that bound the bottom wall 4 and hingingly couple the front wall 5 and rear wall 6 to the bottom wall 4 in fact allow a basic embodiment of the folding box 1 with a bottom wall 4, front wall 5 and back wall 6 provided by the plate 2.
• the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 has two opposite box lids 19 attached to an end of the front wall 5 and back wall 6, respectively, again via plate hinges now forming lid hinges 20.
• This allows the lids 19 to be opened and closed easily.
• further plate hinges 3 and a plate fold line 16 functionally parallel to the lid hinges 20 are provided. These provide hinges for folding the box 1 as will be explained below.
• the plate material is made from a thermoplastic material
• the plate hinges in most embodiments are in fact "living hinges". These living hinges are formed by locally thinning the polymer material, usually thermoplastic material, to such an extend that in fact a hinge is formed. This can de done in a mould in injection moulding.
• a lid or lids may be provided as separate parts. These lids may be coupled via hinges.
• Figure 2 shows amongst others the effect of the additional plate hinges 3 and fold line 16, i.e. providing more easily folding lids 19, and providing a less-obstructed opening to the folding box 1.
• Figure 2 shows the folding box of figure 1 with open lids 19. The specific selection of hinges and lid hinges result the lids to be able to fold fully open, parallel to the front, and rear wall respectively.
• figure 5 illustrates the folding box of figure 1 in folded position and seen from the side of the folding box.
• Figure 6 depicts the folding box of figure 1 in folded position now seen from the front side of the folding box
• Figure 9 depicts a side view of the folded box 1 of figure 1 in side view, seen from the side wall.
• Figure 10 shows two folding boxes 1 of figure 1 stacked one on the other.
• Figure 11 shows a stack of two folded folding boxes 1 of figure 1 .
• end parts 7 are provided. These end parts are engineered to be attached or mounted to the side or edge of the plate 4 in a way illustrated in an embodiment shown in figure 7 of WO2023146397 . Other coupling methods are possible for alternative uses.
• the embodiment illustrated in figure 7 of WO2023146397 allows for instance easy assembling and disassembling, allowing repair and recycling when needed.
• FIG. 3 A view of one of the end parts 7 seen from "outside” of the folding box is illustrated in figure 3 .
• the end part 7 comprises an end frame 8 and hingingly (or hingedly) attached to each end frame 8 a side wall 9.
• the side wall 9 is attached via a side wall hinge 10. In the depicted embodiment, it comprises four parts coupling to a side of the side wall 9.
• the end frame 8 in particular frames the/its side wall 9.
• the end frame 8 comprises mutually coupled frame members 11, 12, 13 and 14.
• the coupling of the frame members 11-14 allows the be configured into a parallelogram with mutual angles not-equal to 90 degrees, and to be brought into a configuration in which the frame members form a rectangle.
• the frame members 11-14 have an elongated shape, having a longitudinal axis L.
• the frame members are hingingly coupled near their ends through frame member hinges 15.
• the four frame member hinges 15 of an end frame 8 are substantially identical.
• the hinges can be attached or provided at ends or the frame members 11-14.
• the rotational axes R of the frame member hinges 15 are transverse to the longitudinal axes L.
• the frame member hinges 15 of each end frame are provided with their rotational axes R functionally parallel. This allows the end frame to be brought from a rectangular orientation into a parallelogram shape as illustrated in figure 7 end further into the folded position illustrated in figure 5 .
• the frame members 11-14 are functionally parallel, in the depicted embodiment almost completely parallel.
• a diagonal distance between opposite frame member hinge 15 changes.
• the angle between two opposite frame members is changes between 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
• the angle between neighbouring frame members is changes between 90 degrees and 0 degrees.
• the end frame 8 in fact has several distinguishable frame members 11-14, each coupled to another wall 4, 5, 6 provided by plate 2.
• This bottom wall frame member 13 is connected to the bottom wall 4.
• the rear wall frame member 12 is connected to the rear or back wall 6.
• the front wall frame member 11 is connected to the front wall 5.
• the front wall frame member can be identical to the back wall frame member 12 but mounted rotated/the other way around.
• the embodiment of figure 3 has an upper frame member 14.
• This frame member provides a side lining the box opening at a frame side of the opening.
• lids 19 e.g. fig. 8, 10, 11 of WO2023146397
• this upper frame member 14 can be an abutment for sides of the box lids 19 keeping the lids in a folding box 1 closing position.
• a side wall 9 as mentioned before.
• This side wall 9 is provided to allow it to hinge to one direction and be blocked into the opposite direction.
• the side wall in the current embodiment of figure 1 folds or hinges to the internal space I of the folding box 1 when in its unfolded, used position in which it provides a containing space.
• the end frame 8 provided abutment provisions for blocking the side wall 9 from hinging to the opposite direction.
• the end frame 8 can furthermore comprise snapping provisions for holding the side wall 9 against the abutment provisions.
• the side walls are hingingly coupled, and the abutment provisions 17 abut at least one of the sides that are not hingingly coupled to a frame member.
• the lower bottom frame member 13 is hingingly coupled to a side or edge of the side wall 9.
• the abutment provisions 17 in the current embodiment extend from the respective frame members 11, 12 an 13. With the folding box 1 in its unfolded position (figure 8, 10 of WO2023146397 ), the abutment provisions 17 abut against its respective side wall 9 against a side turned away from the inner space or enclosed volume I of the folding box 1.
• the abutment provisions 17 are here ledges 17 that extend from the respective frame members 11, 12, 14. These ledges 17 prevent a side wall 9 from unfolding or hinging outside the contours of an unfolded folding box 1.
• At least one of the frame members 11, 12, 13, 14 furthermore comprises a side wall snap fitting 18.
• the snap fitting is provided for snapping the side wall 9 in position, framed by the frame members, when the folding box 1 is in its unfolded position of figures 8 and 10.
• the snap fitting 18 comprises a provision on the side wall 9. Here, it is provided on a side away from the inner space I.
• complementary snap fitting provisions 18 are provided on the frame elements 11, 12, 13, 14. In this embodiment, these provisions are provided on the frame elements 11, 12, 14 not hingingly coupled to or coupling the side wall 9.
• the snap provisions are provided on the abutment provisions 17.
• snap cams and complementary snap holes 18 are provided. The elements can be shaped differently end even exchanged, providing the ledges 17 with cams and the side walls 9 with holes ( figure 1 of WO2023146397 , the ledge of the bottom frame member en the end of the side wall opposite to the hinge 10).
• the folding box 1 can now in step 2 be folded as illustrated in figure 2 and 3 of WO2023146397 until it reaches the folded position or state of figures 5 , 6 , and 9.
• frame member hinge 15 are provided that have their rotational axis R at a distance from longitudinal axis L of the frame member. This results in the thinner of flatter folding as depicted in figures 5 , 6 and 9. It was found that if the rotational axes R is at least larger than a thickness of the side walls on top of one another, thin folding is possible.
• Figure 7 of WO2023146397 shows a detail of figure 1 showing a coupling of a side or edge 23 of the plate 2 with an end part 7.
• the frame member here the bottom frame member 13 comprises a groove 24 functionally parallel to the longitudinal line or direction L.
• the edge or side 23 of the plate fits into the groove 24.
• the groove 24 can be provided with snap provisions preventing removal of in inserted edge 23.
• the groove 23 at an upper and/or lover groove wall can be provided with sawtooth ends holding the plate edge 23 into the groove 24. In that way, the plate 2 is into the groove 24.
• a tool can be used to remove the plate from the groove 24.
• Figure 9 of WO2023146397 shows another feature that allows even flatter folding of the folding box 1. It shows the side walls in a side view, showing that the side walls 9 are actually wedge shaped. The side walls 9 taper from the hinge side where they are hingingly coupled to their respective upper frame members 14 towards their opposite, thinnest side 25.
• Figure 10 of WO2023146397 shows two folding boxes 1 of figure 1 stacked one on the other.
• the folding box 1 is thus dimensioned in such a way that stacking of two or more of the folding boxes on top of one another is possible.
• the outside of the end parts is therefore in an embodiment provided with stacking provisions.
• the bottom wall frame member at a side away from the folding box 1 is provided with a stacking provision that works together with a stacking provision on a the upper frame member on a side away from the folding box 1, in order to present sliding of two stacked folding boxes 1 in unfolded state or position as depicted.
• the folded folding boxes can also be stacked in a stable manner without sliding.
• the specific embodiments shown also allows easy refurbishing of used folding boxes 1.
• the end parts 7 can be removed from the plate 2. Next, one of the end parts 7 and/or the plate 2 can be replaced.
• the folding box 1 can be re-assembled by snapping the end parts 7 onto the edges 23 of the plate 2.
• the folding box of WO2023146397 does not have a tamper-evident lock 30.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 provides a tamper-evident locking against opening of the lid 19.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 provides an inward abutment 37 for preventing the side wall 9 from swinging inward and thus also preventing folding of the folding box 1.
• FIGS 3 and 4 application of the current tamper-evident lock 30 on a more traditional folding box 1 is illustrated.
• This folding box just like the earlier folding box 1 has opposite side walls 9 that can swing into the folding box 1. Again, the sided walls 9 are hingingly coupled with or near the bottom wall 4. To that end, side wall hinges 10 are provided.
• the folding mechanism or principle of the folding box 1 of figures 3 and 4 is different from the folding box 1 of figures 1 and 2 .
• This folding box folding principle is also the subject of separate claims.
• the currently discussed folding box 1 comprises a front wall 5 and a rear wall 6 comprising a front/rear wall center hinge 26 that divides the front wall 5 and rear wall 6 into two halves.
• the center hinges 26 can be pushed into the folding box 1 after the side walls 9 are folded into the folding box 1, thus resting on bottom wall 4.
• the front wall 5 and rear wall 6 further comprise hinges 27, 28 at opposite ends and parallel to the center hinges 26 the front wall 5 and rear wall 6 can fold into the folding box 1.
• the folded folding box 1 in folded state has an area of about the bottom wall, and a heigh that is at least the thickness of the bottom wall 4, the thickness of the side wall 9, and twice the thickness of the front wall 5 and the rear wall 6.
• This folding box 1 also comprises a lid having two parts that are hingingly coupled to the top of the front wall 5 and the rear wall 6, respectively.
• the folding box is provided with the tamper-evident lock 30 that is the same as illustrated with the folding box 1 of figures 1 and 2 . This is to illustrate that the current tamper-evident lock 30 can be used for different types of folding boxes 1.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 may even be used for general boxes with a lid.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 is illustrated in figures 5 and 6 in more detail.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 comprises a lock ledge or lock flange 31.
• Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the tamper-evident lock 30 in closed position. In this position, the tamper-evident lock 30 blocks opening the lid 19.
• a lock element 32 (in figure7 an embodiment is discussed) provides a breakable coupling, coupling the further tamper-evident lock and the further folding box.
• FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of the tamper-evident lock 30 in a closed position in which it does not block opening the lid 19.
• the lid 19 may be resting on the folding box 1.
• the lid 19 is hingingly coupled to the further folding box 30.
• the lid 19 comprises two lid parts 19 together forming the lid 19. Each lid part is hingingly coupled with the upper end of the folding box 1.
• the respective lid parts 19 are coupled to respectively the front wall 5 and the rear wall 6.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 comprises a lock ledge 31.
• the lock ledge 31 is hingingly coupled via tamper-evident lock hinges 33 to the further folding box 1. In this way, the open and closed position of the tamper-evident lock 30 is easily switched.
• the lid 19 has a edge or end that in the closed position of the tamper-evident lock 30 is held between a part of the folding box 1 and the lock ledge 31.
• tamper-evident locks 30 are provided at opposite sides of the folding box 1 as illustrated.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 comprises a lock element 32.
• This lock elements couples the further tamper-evident lock 30 and the further folding box 1.
• the lock element 32 comprises a breakable part that breaks when trying to bring the tamper-evident lock 30 between the closed position or state and the open position or state.
• the breakable part comprises a thinned part that breaks when applying a force. In an embodiment, such a force is between 100 and 10.000 Newton.
• a thermoplastic material like polyethylene (PE), more in particular LDPE, this would in some embodiments require a thickens of about 0.01-2 mm, more in particular about 0.05-1 mm.
• a separate lock element 32 allows re-use of the tamper-evident lock 30.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 comprises a through hole 35 or ledge hole 35.
• the folding box 1 comprises a matching through hole 36 or folding box through hole 36.
• the holes 35 and 36 are in-line or aligned.
• the lock element 32 in such an embodiment can extend through both holes 34, 35.
• the lock element 32 comprises a top or head 42 and end cam 44 that are dimensioned such that they do not pass through the holes 35, 36.
• Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the lock element 32.
• This lock element 32 has an extended end 47 that can add a further engagement for the sidewall 9.
• the lock element 32 comprises a lock element groove 46 that allows easier placement and further weakens the break region 45.
• the tamper-evident lock comprises a tamper-evident lock handle 34 to allow more accurate dosing of a force needed to bring the tamper-evident lock 30 in the open position.
• the tamper-evident lock handle 34 extends from the tamper-evident lock ledge 31 in a direction opposite to the or away from the tamper-evident lock hinges 33.
• the tamper-evident lock handle 34 is a widening of the tamper-evident lock ledge 31, here central with respect to the length.
• the upper end of the folding box 1 comprises a lid ledge 41 for engaging the lid on closed position of the lid 19.
• the tamper-evident ledge 31 is moved/rotated from the closed position of figure 6 to the open position of figure 5 . In that way, the lid ends are held between the lid ledge 41 and tamper evident ledge 31.
• the end 39 of the lid 19 is provided with a lid hole 38 and a folding box side of the tamper-evident ledge 31 is provided with a matching cam 40. This additional feature is in particular useful if a lid 19 is not hingingly couple to the further folding box 1.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 in an embodiment further comprises an engagement cam 37 for in the closed position of the tamper-evident lock 30 engaging the side wall 9, in particular a side wall edge opposite a side wall hinge 10, for locking the side wall in its position.
• This in particular relates to locking a side wall from swinging inward.
• the tamper-evident cam 37 engages a side of the side wall 9 that is opposite of its side wall hinge 10.
• the cam 37 has a slanted side that matches a slanted part 48 of the side wall 9 edge. In this way, the wedge or slanted side in cooperation with the matching slanted part of the side wall, pressing the side wall 9 in its position.
• the folding box comprises side wall abutment 17 providing counter pressure.
• the side walls 9 are held in position illustrated in the drawings. With the side walls 9 held in position in this way, the folding box 1 is also blocked from folding.
• the tamper-evident lock 30 is coupled to the end frame 8.
• the tamper-evident ledge 31 is hingingly coupled to the end frame 8.
• the tamper-evident ledge is hingingly coupled to the upper frame member 14 (reference is made to WO2023146397 ).
• some of the reference numbers of WO2023146397 and dimension indications and rotational axes indications are not included in the current drawings.
• WO2023146397 again reference is made to WO2023146397 .
• the tamper-evident lock 30 in its broader sense can be applied on the folding box 1 of WO2023146397 . But it provides additional security if the side wall 9 is hingingly coupled to the bottom wall frame member 13 in stead of the upper frame member 14, allowing it to additionally efficiently lock the side wall 9 from singing inward.

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• 2024
  • 2024-03-22 NL NL2037314A patent/NL2037314B1/en active
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