JP7813166B2 - container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container.

Patent Document 1 discloses a container with one open end, which includes a pair of opposing side panels, end panels connected to each of the side panels, and a pair of lid walls. Each lid wall includes a pair of flaps connected to each of the side panels, and an adhesive strip connected to the end panel. In order to improve the adhesiveness of the adhesive strip, Patent Document 1 adheres the adhesive strip to the outer surface of one of the pair of flaps (first flap), and adheres the other of the pair of flaps (second flap) to this outer surface.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-30935

The container in Patent Document 1 can improve the adhesion of the adhesive piece to the first flap. However, the adhesion of the adhesive piece creates a step on the outer surface of the first flap. The container in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the possibility that this step could cause the second flap to bulge, resulting in the container not achieving the designed external dimensions.

The objective of this invention is to provide a container that can be manufactured to the designed external dimensions by minimizing the occurrence of unevenness caused by the application of adhesive strips.

One aspect of the present invention is a device comprising: a bottom plate extending along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; a pair of side plates connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the first direction and extending along the second direction and a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction; a top plate connected to the ends of the pair of side plates in the third direction and positioned at a distance from the bottom plate in the third direction; a pair of end plates connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the second direction and extending along the first direction and the third direction; four adhesive pieces connected to both ends of the pair of side plates in the second direction and attached to outer surfaces of adjacent end plates; a covering plate connected to each end of the top plate in the second direction and attached to the outer surfaces of the end plate and the pair of adhesive pieces; a pair of first bent portions provided on both sides in the first direction between the bottom plate and the pair of end plates to correspond to the pair of adhesive pieces and extending in the first direction; a second bent portion provided at a distance outside the first bent portions in the second direction and extending between the pair of first bent portions in the first direction; and a punched portion connected to at least one of the first bent portions and the second bent portion, penetrating the end plate and extending in a direction away from the bottom plate along the third direction.

Another aspect of the present invention is a device comprising a bottom plate extending in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; a pair of side plates connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the first direction and extending in the second direction and a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions; a pair of end plates connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the second direction and extending in the first and third directions; and a total of four attachment pieces connected to both ends of the pair of side plates in the second direction and attached to outer surfaces of adjacent end plates, a pair of first bent portions provided on both sides in the first direction so as to extend in the first direction; a second bent portion provided at a distance outward in the second direction from the first bent portions and extending in the first direction between the pair of first bent portions; and a punched portion connected to at least one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion, penetrating the end plate and extending in a direction away from the bottom plate along the third direction , and a top plate covering the ends of the pair of side plates and the pair of end plates in the third direction is provided so as to be spaced apart from the bottom plate in the third direction .

A step is formed in the end plate by the first bend, second bend, and punched-out portion, and an adhesive piece is attached at a position corresponding to the first bend. The step in the end plate absorbs the thickness of the adhesive piece, preventing the formation of a step that would otherwise occur when attaching the adhesive piece to the outer surface of the end plate, and allowing the outer surface of the end plate and the outer surface of the adhesive piece to be positioned flush. This allows the container to be manufactured with the designed external dimensions.

The container of the present invention reduces the occurrence of unevenness caused by the application of adhesive strips, allowing the box to be manufactured with the designed external dimensions.

1 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the packaging box of FIG. 1 . An enlarged view of part II in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the packaging box blank of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of part III of the blank in FIG. 3A. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a process for manufacturing a packaging box. FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4A. FIG. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing a modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing another modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing another modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing another modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing another modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing another modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3B showing another modified example of the packaging box. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the packaging box blank of FIG. 13 . 14 is a perspective view showing a process for manufacturing the packaging box of FIG. 13; FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the packaging box of FIG. 13 in an opened state.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the X direction is the width direction of the container and is the first direction of the present invention. The Y direction is the length direction of the container and is the second direction of the present invention. The Z direction is the height (thickness) direction of the container and is the third direction of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 1 , a packaging box 10, which is an example of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is a post-in case sized to be dropped into a postbox. The width direction X dimension of the packaging box 10 is smaller than the length direction Y dimension, and the height direction Z dimension is smaller than the width direction X dimension. The width direction X dimension of the packaging box 10 is set in the range of 175 mm to 250 mm, and in this embodiment, it is set to 225 mm. The length direction Y dimension of the packaging box 10 is set in the range of 230 mm to 350 mm, and in this embodiment, it is set to 310 mm. The height direction Z dimension of the packaging box 10 is set in the range of 10 mm to 60 mm, and preferably in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm, and in this embodiment, it is set to 25 mm.

The packaging box 10 is formed by folding and pasting a single blank shown in Figure 3A at predetermined locations. The blank is formed by punching a cardboard sheet using a well-known paper container punching device. The cardboard sheet has a well-known configuration in which a wavy core is disposed between the front liner (the outer surface of the packaging box 10) and the back liner (the inner surface of the packaging box 10). The area indicated by the dashed dotted line in Figure 3A is a general-purpose score line formed by scoring from the back liner to compress the wall thickness. The area indicated by the solid line in Figure 3A is a cut line formed by cutting with a blade from the back liner to the front liner, and a shape line (edge) formed by punching.

Referring to FIG. 1, the packaging box 10 comprises a bottom plate 11, a top plate 12, side plates 13A and 13B, and a pair of cover walls 20. Each cover wall 20 comprises an end plate 21, a pair of adhesive strips 22 attached to the outer surface of the end plate 21, and a cover plate 23 attached to the outer surface of each of the end plate 21 and adhesive strips 22. In this embodiment, the outermost cover plate 23 of the cover wall 20 can be attached flat and without any steps, allowing the packaging box 10 to be manufactured to the designed external dimensions.

The bottom plate 11, top plate 12, side plates 13A and 13B, and pair of cover walls 20 will be described in detail below.

The bottom plate 11 and top plate 12 are both formed in a roughly identical rectangular shape extending along the XY plane, and are spaced apart in the height direction Z. However, the bottom plate 11 and top plate 12 do not have to extend along the XY plane in the strict geometric sense, as long as they can be assembled into the packaging box 10.

The side plates 13A, 13B are both formed in a generally identical rectangular shape extending along the YZ plane and are spaced apart in the width direction X. However, the side plates 13A, 13B do not have to extend along the YZ plane in the strict geometric sense, as long as they can be assembled into the packaging box 10.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2A, the side panels 13A, 13B are connected to both ends of the bottom panel 11 in the width direction X via bent sections 16 extending in the length direction Y, and are connected to both ends of the top panel 12 in the width direction X via bent sections 17 extending in the length direction Y.

The side panel (first side panel) 13A consists of a side panel main body 14 and a joint 15, which are attached with an adhesive such as hot melt resin. The side panel (second side panel) 13B consists of a single cardboard sheet. Referring to Figure 3A, the side panel main body 14, bottom panel 11, side panel 13B, top panel 12, and joint 15 are connected in this order from bottom to top.

Continuing with FIG. 3A, the bottom plate 11 is connected at its top and bottom by fold lines 16a that form the bends 16, which connect the side plates 13B and the side plate body 14. The fold lines 16a are made up of multiple general-purpose creases 18 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y and cut lines 19 between adjacent general-purpose creases 18. The spacing between adjacent cut lines 19 is set to a dimension that makes them unlikely to connect or break when subjected to external force. The cut lines 19 are connected to adjacent general-purpose creases 18 and include protrusions 19a that protrude in an arc outward in the width direction X beyond the general-purpose creases 18. These protrusions 19a form protrusions at corresponding locations on the bottom plate 11 (see FIG. 2A), and the bent side plate 13B and side plate body 14 interfere with these protrusions, preventing the side plate 13B and side plate body 14 (side plate 13A) from returning to their original flat shape relative to the bottom plate 11.

Referring to Figure 3A, the top panel 12 is connected to the joint 15 and side panel 13B at the top and bottom via fold lines 17a and 17b that form the fold section 17. Similar to fold line 16a, fold line 17a between the top panel 12 and side panel 13B is composed of multiple general-purpose creases 18 and cut lines 19 between adjacent general-purpose creases 18. Fold line 17b between the top panel 12 and joint 15 is composed of a lead crease that includes a general-purpose crease extending in the length direction Y and multiple cut lines spaced apart in the length direction Y on this general-purpose crease. The spacing between adjacent cut lines on fold line 17b is set to a dimension that makes it difficult for the creases to connect with each other or break when an external force is applied.

Referring to Figure 1, the pair of lid walls 20 are each formed in the same rectangular shape extending along the XZ plane, and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y. However, the lid walls 20 do not have to extend along the XZ plane in the strict geometric sense, as long as they can be assembled into the packaging box 10.

Each cover wall 20 is connected to the top plate 12, bottom plate 11, and side plates 13A and 13B, respectively, and closes the openings at both ends in the longitudinal direction Y defined by these plates. Each cover wall 20 includes an end plate 21 connected to the bottom plate 11, a pair of attachment pieces 22 connected to the side plates 13A and 13B, respectively, and a cover plate 23 connected to the top plate 12. The pair of attachment pieces 22 are attached to the outer surfaces of adjacent end plates 21 with an adhesive such as hot-melt resin, and then the cover plate 23 is attached to the outer surfaces of the end plates 21 and the outer surfaces of the pair of attachment pieces 22 with an adhesive such as hot-melt resin, thereby forming the cover wall 20.

The end plate 21 and the cover plate 23 are both elongated strips, and the pair of adhesive pieces 22 are generally trapezoidal. The height direction Z dimension of the end plate 21 and the height direction Z dimension of the cover plate 23 are both smaller than the height direction Z dimension of the side plates 13A and 13B, and greater than half the height direction Z dimension of the side plates 13A and 13B. The height direction Z dimension of the adhesive piece 22 is smaller than the height direction Z dimension of the end plate 21.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2A, the end plate 21 is connected to the bottom plate 11 via a bent portion 24. The pair of adhesive pieces 22 are connected to the side plates 13A and 13B, respectively, via bent portions 29. Referring to Figure 1, the cover plate 23 is connected to the top plate 12 via a bent portion 30.

If the adhesive piece 22 were attached to the inner surface of the end plate 21, the repulsive force of the end plate 21 relative to the bottom plate 11 would be greater than the repulsive force of the adhesive piece 22 relative to the side plates 13A and 13B. Therefore, when the end plate 21 is bent relative to the bottom plate 11, the end plate 21 would move away from the adhesive piece 22, reducing adhesion. In contrast, in this embodiment, the adhesive piece 22 is attached to the outer surface of the end plate 21, so when the end plate 21 is bent relative to the bottom plate 11, the repulsive force brings the end plate 21 closer to the adhesive piece 22. Therefore, compared to when the adhesive piece 22 is attached to the inner surface of the end plate 21, this embodiment improves adhesion between the end plate 21 and the adhesive piece 22.

However, when the adhesive piece 22 is attached to the outer surface of the end plate 21, a step may occur on the outer surface of the end plate 21 due to the attachment of the adhesive piece 22. Therefore, in this embodiment, a bent portion 24 comprising a pair of first bent portions 25 and one second bent portion 26 is provided between the bottom plate 11 and the end plate 21, and a punched portion 27 is provided between the first bent portion 25 and the second bent portion 26.

The following provides a detailed explanation of the bend 24 between the bottom plate 11 and the end plate 21, the bend 29 between the side plates 13A, 13B and the adhesive piece 22, and the bend 30 between the top plate 12 and the cover plate 23.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the bent portion 24 between the bottom plate 11 and the end plate 21 includes a pair of first bent portions 25 and one second bent portion 26, and extends in the width direction X as a whole. A punched portion 27 is provided between each of the first bent portions 25 and the second bent portion 26. The pair of first bent portions 25 and the one second bent portion 26 are positioned at a distance in the length direction Y, and the punched portion 27 is formed to establish this positional relationship.

Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the pair of end plates 21 are connected to both sides of the bottom plate 11 in the longitudinal direction Y via a first fold line 25a constituting the first fold portion 25 and a second fold line 26a constituting the second fold portion 26.

2A and 2B, the first bent portions 25 are provided at both ends of the end plate 21 in the width direction X to correspond to the adhesive pieces 22, and extend in the width direction X. The length of the first bent portions 25 in the width direction X is equal to or greater than the total length of the adhesive pieces 22 in the width direction X (length L2 shown in FIG. 3B), and corresponds to the distance S2 from the fold line 16a to the punched portion 27 shown in FIG. 3. The first bent portions 25 form a first portion 21a (see FIG. 4B) in the end plate 21 that corresponds in the height direction Z to the area where the first bent portions 25 are provided.

Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the first fold line 25a constituting the first fold section 25 is, like the fold line 17b, a lead crease with a pair of cut lines spaced apart on a general crease line.

2A and 2B, the second bent portions 26 are spaced apart outward in the longitudinal direction Y from the first bent portions 25, and extend in the width direction X between the pair of first bent portions 25. Both ends of the second bent portion 26 and the ends of the pair of first bent portions 25 are located at the same positions in the width direction X and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y. The second bent portions 26 form second portions 21b (see FIG. 4B) in the end plate 21, which correspond in the height direction Z to the area where the second bent portions 26 are located and are located further outward in the longitudinal direction Y than the first portions 21a.

Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the second fold line 26a constituting the second fold section 26 is, like the fold line 17b, a lead crease with multiple cut lines spaced apart on a general crease.

The offset dimension S1 (see Figure 3B), which is the distance between the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a, is preferably set to the thickness of one cardboard sheet, more specifically, in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In this embodiment, it is set to 1 mm. If the offset dimension S1 is made too small, a step may occur on the outer surface of the end plate 21 due to the attachment of the adhesive piece 22. This reduces the adhesion of the cover plate 23 to the end plate 21 and prevents the completed packaging box 10 from achieving the designed external dimensions. If the offset dimension S1 is made too large, the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22 may be positioned more inward in the length direction Y than the outer surface of the central portion of the end plate 21 in the width direction X, resulting in a step. This reduces the internal volume of the completed packaging box 10. To prevent these inconveniences and ensure that the outer surface of the end plate 21 and the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22 are flush with each other, it is preferable to set the difference in level S1 between the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a within the range specified above.

Referring to Figures 2B, 3B, and 4B, the punched portion 27 consists of a cutting line that penetrates a portion of each of the bottom plate 11 and the end plate 21, and is provided to allow partial deformation of the end plate 21 in the longitudinal direction Y. A portion of the punched portion 27 is connected to the first bent portion 25 and the second bent portion 26, and extends through the end plate 21 in the height direction Z. More specifically, the punched portion 27 includes a continuous portion 27a and a punched portion main body 27b that is connected to the continuous portion 27a.

Continuing portion 27a extends linearly in the longitudinal direction Y from the end of first fold line 25a on the second fold line 26a side to the end of the nearby second fold line 26a. In other words, continuing portion 27a is provided between fold lines 25, 26 and is connected to first fold line 25 and second fold line 26. Here, "connected to fold lines 25, 26" does not mean that continuing portion 27a is connected to fold lines 25a, 26a in the blank state shown in FIG. 3B, but rather that it is connected in the box-formed state shown in FIG. 2B. In other words, in the blank state shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, continuing portion 27a may be positioned with a gap between the ends of fold lines 25a, 26a.

The punching section body 27b is connected to the continuous section 27a and extends upward in the height direction Z relative to the end plate 21, dividing the end plate 21 into a first section 21a on the outer side in the longitudinal direction Y and a second section 21b in the center in the longitudinal direction Y. More specifically, the punching section body 27b in this embodiment includes a dividing section 27c and a breakage prevention section 27d.

Referring to Figures 3B and 4B, the dividing portion 27c extends in the height direction Z from the end of the second bend 26 (second fold line 26a) on the first bend 25 (first fold line 25a) side along the linear tip end 22a of the adhesive piece 22. In this embodiment, the dividing portion 27c extends in the same straight line as the continuous portion 27a.

The breakage prevention portion 27d extends in a curved line from the upper end of the dividing portion 27c in the height direction Z toward the outward side in the width direction X as it moves upward in the height direction Z, preventing the end plate 21 from breaking in an unintended direction due to the application of external force. The upper end of the breakage prevention portion 27d and the upper edge of the end plate 21 are positioned at a distance that will not cause breakage due to external forces that may be applied during normal use. In other words, the upper part of the end plate 21 has a continuous portion 21c without a punched portion 27.

The length L1 (see Figure 3B) of the breakage prevention portion 27d from the dividing portion 27c to the outer end of the breakage prevention portion 27d in the width direction X is preferably greater than zero and less than or equal to 10 mm when the thickness of the end plate 21 is 20 mm or greater and 30 mm or less. When the thickness of the end plate 21 is 50 mm, the length L1 is preferably greater than zero and less than or equal to 20 mm. Furthermore, the distance from the outer end of the breakage prevention portion 27d in the width direction X to the outer end of the end plate 21 in the width direction X is preferably 3 mm or greater. If the length L1 of the breakage prevention portion 27d is zero, i.e., if the breakage prevention portion 27d is not formed, unintended tearing may occur from the upper end of the dividing portion 27c. If the length L1 of the breakage prevention portion 27d is excessively long, unintended bending may occur in the continuous portion 21c of the end plate 21. To prevent these inconveniences, the length L1 of the breakage prevention portion 27d is preferably set within the above-specified range.

3B and 4B, the distance from the bent portion 29 between the side panels 13A, 13B and the adhesive piece 22 to the dividing portion 27c of the punched portion main body 27b, i.e., the maximum distance from the bent portion 29 to the farthest part of the punched portion 27, is the same as the distance S2 from the bent line 16a to the dividing portion 27c. This distance S2 is set to be equal to or greater than the length L2 from the bent line 29a (bent portion 29) to the tip of the adhesive piece 22. For example, if the length L2 from the bent portion 29 to the tip of the adhesive piece 22 is 24 mm, the distance S2 from the bent line 16a (bent portion 29) to the dividing portion 27c is set to be in the range of 24 mm to 29 mm. However, the length L2 of the adhesive piece 22 and the distance S2 to the dividing portion 27c do not have to be the same geometrically in the strict sense, particularly in the blank state shown in Figure 3A, as long as the tip of the adhesive piece 22 and the dividing portion 27c are aligned in the width direction X when the box is made.

Continuing with reference to Figures 3B and 4B, the length L3 in the height direction Z of the punched portion body 27b is set to be at least one-third of the width W in the height direction Z of the adhesive piece 22, but not greater than a dimension sufficient to ensure the continuous portion 21c of the end plate 21. The width W of the adhesive piece 22 is defined as the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the pair of chamfered portions 22b connecting the upper and lower ends of the tip portion 22a. If the length L3 of the punched portion body 27b is made too short, the area in which the step is formed between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b of the end plate 21 will be reduced, potentially resulting in a step between the upper side of the adhesive piece 22 and the second portion 21b. If the length L3 of the punched portion body 27b is made too long, the continuous portion 21c will not be ensured. Therefore, it is preferable to set the length L3 of the punched portion body 27b within the above-specified range.

Continuing with reference to Figures 3B and 4B, the continuous portion 21c of the end plate 21 above the breakage prevention portion 27d has a fold line 28 that promotes the formation of a step between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b. The fold line 28 is a general-purpose crease that slopes upward in the height direction Z from the outer end of the breakage prevention portion 27d toward the outside in the width direction X of the end plate 21. In other words, the fold line 28 slopes toward the top plate 12 as it moves from the end of the punched portion main body 27b facing the top plate 12 toward the outside in the width direction X.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2B, the bends 29 between the side panels 13A, 13B and the adhesive pieces 22 extend in the height direction Z. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, a total of four adhesive pieces 22 are connected to both sides of the side panel 13B and the side panel main body 14 in the length direction Y via fold lines 29a that form the bends 29. Similar to fold line 17b, fold line 29a is a lead crease with multiple cut lines spaced apart on a general-purpose crease.

Referring to Figure 1, the bent portion 30 between the top plate 12 and the cover plate 23 includes a non-breakable portion 31 that is difficult to break when an external force is applied, and a breakable portion 32 that can be broken when an external force is applied, and extends linearly overall in the width direction X. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the cover plate 23 is connected to both sides of the top plate 12 in the length direction Y via a fold line 31a that constitutes the non-breakable portion 31 and a break line 32a that constitutes the breakable portion 32.

Referring to Figure 1, the non-breaking section 31 is provided on the side panel 13A side. Referring to Figure 3A, the fold lines 31a that make up the non-breaking section 31 are made up of general-purpose creases and lead creases made up of multiple cut lines. The spacing between adjacent cut lines is set to a dimension that makes them unlikely to connect with each other or break when an external force is applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, the tearing section 32 is located on the side panel 13B side. Referring to FIG. 3A, the tearing lines 32a that make up the tearing section 32 are Y-zippers, each consisting of a plurality of roughly Y-shaped tearing lines spaced at a breakable interval. Here, the breakable interval refers to the distance at which adjacent Y-shaped tearing lines can be connected together by the application of an external force. These tearing lines 32a form part of the opening structure 35, which will be described in detail later. If the opening structure 35 is not provided, the folding section 30 is composed only of the fold line 31a, without the tearing lines 32a.

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the packaging box 10 of the first embodiment will be described.

First, in the blank state shown in Figure 3A, the pair of end plates 21 are folded relative to the bottom plate 11 along the fold lines 25a and 26a. As a result, as shown in Figure 4B, the first portion 21a of the end plate 21 extends along the XZ plane from the first folded portion 25, and the second portion 21b extends along the XZ plane from the second folded portion 26, which is located outside the first portion 21a in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, a step of the difference in height dimension S1 shown in Figure 3B is formed between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b of the end plate 21.

Next, the side panel 13B and the main side panel 14 are folded along the fold line 16a relative to the bottom panel 11, and then the adhesive strip 22 is folded along the fold line 29a relative to the side panel 13B and the main side panel 14. The adhesive strip 22 is then attached to the outer surface of the first portion 21a of the end panel 21 with an adhesive. This completes the sealing process shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

Referring to Figures 2B and 4B, during the sealing process, the outer surface of the second portion 21b of the end plate 21 is located further outward in the longitudinal direction Y than the outer surface of the first portion 21a and is generally flush with the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22. Even when the length L3 of the punched portion main body 27b is smaller than the width W of the adhesive piece 22, the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22 and the outer surface of the second portion 21b are generally flush with each other because the upper end of the first portion 21a of the end plate 21 is a free end that can flex inward, and the fold line 28 promotes this inward flexure.

Next, after placing items on the bottom plate 11, the top plate 12 is folded along the fold line 17a relative to the side plate 13B. Then, a pair of cover plates 23 are folded relative to the top plate 12, and the cover plates 23 are adhesively attached to the outer surfaces of the second portions 21b of the end plates 21 and the outer surfaces of the adhesive pieces 22. The seams 15 are also folded relative to the top plate 12, and the seams 15 are adhesively attached to the outer surfaces of the main side plate bodies 14. This completes the sealed packaging box 10 shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, in the sealed packaging box 10, there is no step between the outer surface of the second portion 21b of the end plate 21 and the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22. This improves the adhesion of the cover plate 23 to the end plate 21 and the adhesive piece 22. Moreover, because the outer surface of the end plate 21 and the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22 can be aligned flush, the outermost cover plate 23 can be attached in a flat, even state, allowing the packaging box 10 to be manufactured to the designed external dimensions. Furthermore, no gaps due to steps are formed between the second portion 21b of the end plate 21 and the cover plate 23. This improves the sealing performance of the lid wall 20, which is made up of the end plate 21, the pair of adhesive pieces 22, and the cover plate 23.

Referring to FIG. 1, the packaging box 10 configured in this manner is provided with an opening structure 35 for opening the top panel 12 side. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3A, the opening structure 35 includes one operating portion 36, a pair of break lines (first break lines) 37, and a pair of second break lines. Of these, the pair of second break lines are formed by break lines 32a that form the break portion 32 of the folding portion 30.

The operating section 36 is located at the center of the seam 15 in the longitudinal direction Y. The operating section 36 is defined by a pair of break lines 36a extending from the tip of the seam 15 toward the bend 17 between the top plate 12. The break lines 36a consist of a one-sided zipper made up of multiple first cut lines extending along the height direction Z and second cut lines extending in the longitudinal direction Y from the lower ends of the first cut lines toward the center of the seam 15.

A pair of break lines 37 are provided on the top panel 12. Each of the pair of break lines 37 extends from the vicinity of break line 36a to the vicinity of break line 32a, slanting outward in the longitudinal direction Y from the side panel 13A toward the second side panel 13B. In this embodiment, the break line 37 is composed of a break portion 37a consisting of a one-sided zipper and a break portion 37b consisting of a Y-shaped zipper.

The pair of break lines 32a each consist of a Y-zipper, extending from the outer end of the break line 37 in the longitudinal direction Y toward the bend 17 of the side panel 13B along the bend 30.

To open the sealed packaging box 10 shown in Figure 1, the tip of the operating part 36 is grasped and pulled outward in the width direction X and upward in the height direction Z. This breaks the seam 15 along a pair of breaking lines 36a. Next, the operating part 36 is pulled in the width direction X toward the side panel 13B. This breaks the top plate 12 along a pair of breaking lines 37, and then the ridge between the top plate 12 and the lid wall 20 along a pair of breaking lines 32a. As a result, the packaging box 10 can be opened while leaving a portion of the top plate 12 intact, as shown in Figure 5.

The packaging box 10 configured in this manner has the following features:

Between the bottom plate 11 and the pair of end plates 21, there are respectively a pair of first bent portions 25, second bent portions 26 spaced apart outward in the longitudinal direction Y from the first bent portions 25, and punched portions 27 extending through the end plates 21 in the height direction Z. This creates a step in the end plate 21, and an adhesive piece 22 is attached to the first portion 21a corresponding to the first bent portion 25. The step in the end plate 21 absorbs the thickness of the adhesive piece 22, thereby preventing the creation of a step that would otherwise occur when attaching the adhesive piece 22 to the outer surface of the end plate 21. This allows the outer surfaces of the end plates 21 and the adhesive piece 22 to be positioned flush with each other. As a result, the outermost cover plate 23 can also be attached flat and without any steps. This allows the packaging box 10 to be manufactured with the designed external dimensions.

The punched portion 27 has a continuous portion 27a that connects to the first bent portion 25 and the second bent portion 26. This ensures that a step is formed between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b of the end plate 21.

The distance S2 from the bent portion 29 between the side plates 13A, 13B and the adhesive piece 22 to the punched portion main body 27b is equal to or greater than the length L2 from the bent portion 29 to the tip of the adhesive piece 22. Therefore, the tip of the adhesive piece 22 can be positioned closer to the bent portion 29 than the punched portion main body 27b, reliably preventing a step from occurring between the end plate 21 and the adhesive piece 22.

The length L3 in the height direction Z of the punched portion main body 27b is at least one-third of the width W in the height direction Z of the adhesive piece 22. This allows the adhesive piece 22 to be reliably pressed into the first portion 21a corresponding to the first bent portion 25, thereby preventing a step from occurring between the end plate 21 and the adhesive piece 22.

The end plate 21 has a fold line 28 that slopes toward the top plate 12 as it moves from the end of the punched portion main body 27b facing the top plate 12 toward the outside in the width direction X. This facilitates the formation of a step between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b of the end plate 21.

Other embodiments and various modifications of the present invention will be described below, but in these descriptions, points that are not specifically mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the drawings referred to below, elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals.

The first fold line 25a (first fold portion 25), the second fold line 26a (second fold portion 26), and the punched portion 27 may be configured as shown in Figures 6 to 12.

The punched portion 27 of the modified example shown in Figure 6 is configured as a slit of a predetermined width. Of this punched portion 27, the portion located between the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a constitutes the continuous portion 27a, and the portion extending from the continuous portion 27a to the end plate 21 constitutes the punched portion main body 27b. In this way, the punched portion 27 may be configured to penetrate the end plate 21.

The punched portion 27 of the modified example shown in Figure 7 is configured with a cutting line, similar to the first embodiment. In this punched portion 27, instead of the breakage prevention portion 27d and fold line 28 shown in Figure 3B, a cutting line 27e is provided on the center side of the end plate 21 in the width direction X relative to the dividing portion 27c.

In the modified example shown in Figure 8, the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a are spaced apart in the width direction X, and the fold line 28 is not provided. This modification also differs from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the continuous portion 27a connecting the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a is different. Specifically, the punched portion 27 is formed by a cut line, as in the first embodiment. The continuous portion 27a of the punched portion 27 is composed of a first portion 27f connecting to the first fold line 25a, a second portion 27g connecting to the second fold line 26a, and a third portion 27h connecting to the first portion 27f and the second portion 27g. The first portion 27f passes through the inner end of the first fold line 25a and extends from the bottom plate 11 to the end plate 21. The second portion 27g extends from the outer end of the second fold line 26a toward the end plate 21 and is connected to the punched portion main body 27b. The third portion 27h is spaced apart from the second fold line 26a on the opposite side of the bottom plate 11, with one end connected to the first portion 27f and the other end connected to the second portion 27g.

In the modified example shown in Figure 9, the breakage prevention portion 27d and fold line 28 shown in Figure 3B are not provided. This punched portion 27 is formed by a cutting line, as in the first embodiment. This punched portion 27 is provided with an extension portion 27i that is connected to the continuous portion 27a and extends from the inner end of the first fold line 25a into the bottom plate 11.

In the modified example shown in Figure 10, the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a are spaced apart in the width direction X, and the breakage prevention portion 27d and fold line 28 are not provided. The punched portion 27 is formed by a cutting line, as in the first embodiment. The continuous portion 27a of the punched portion 27 extends from the inner end of the first fold line 25a to the outer end of the second fold line 26a. The punched portion main body 27b (separating portion 27c) extends from the inner end of the first fold line 25a into the end plate 21.

In the modified example shown in Figure 11, the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a are spaced apart in the width direction X, and the breakage prevention portion 27d and fold line 28 are not provided. The punched portion 27 is formed by a cutting line, as in the first embodiment. The continuous portion 27a of the punched portion 27 extends from the inner end of the first fold line 25a to the outer end of the second fold line 26a. The punched portion main body 27b (separating portion 27c) extends from the outer end of the second fold line 26a into the end plate 21.

In the modified example shown in Figure 12, the first fold line 25a and the second fold line 26a are spaced apart in the width direction X, and the breakage prevention portion 27d and fold line 28 are not provided. The punched portion 27 is formed by a cutting line, as in the first embodiment. The continuous portion 27a of the punched portion 27 extends from the inner end of the first fold line 25a to the outer end of the second fold line 26a. The punched portion main body 27b (separating portion 27c) extends from the outer end of the second fold line 26a into the end plate 21. The punched portion 27 also has an extension portion 27i that is connected to the continuous portion 27a and extends from the inner end of the first fold line 25a into the bottom plate 11.

In the modified example shown in Figures 6 to 12, similar to the first embodiment, a first bent portion 25, a second bent portion 26 spaced apart from the first bent portion 25 on the outside in the longitudinal direction Y, and a punched portion 27 extending through the end plate 21 in the height direction Z are provided between the bottom plate 11 and the end plate 21. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the occurrence of a step caused by adhering the adhesive piece 22 to the outer surface of the end plate 21 can be suppressed, and the outer surface of the end plate 21 and the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22 can be positioned flush with each other. This allows the packaging box 10 to be manufactured with the designed external dimensions.

Second Embodiment
The packaging box 10 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 13 differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of connecting the covering plate 23 shown in Figure 1 to the top plate 12, an inner flap 40 is connected to the upper end of the side plate 13A, and inner flaps 41 are connected to the upper ends of each of the pair of end plates 21, and a locking structure is provided on the top plate 12.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the packaging box 10 comprises a bottom plate 11, a top plate 12, side plates 13A and 13B, and a pair of end plates 21. Side plate 13A, like side plate 13B, is made from a single cardboard sheet, which differs from the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, adhesive pieces 22 are attached to both ends of side plates 13A and 13B in the longitudinal direction Y.

An inner flap 40 that is folded so as to overlap the inner surface of the top plate 12 is connected to the side plate 13A via a fold 42. Furthermore, inner flaps 41 that are folded so as to overlap the inner surface of the top plate 12 are each connected to the pair of end plates 21 via a fold 43. The fold lines 42a, 43a that make up the folds 42, 43 are both general-purpose creases.

Latching pieces 44 are connected to both ends of the inner flap 40 in the longitudinal direction Y via folding sections 45. The fold lines 45a that make up the folding sections 45 are general-purpose lines. The folding section 43 between the end plate 21 and the inner flap 41 has a locking hole 46 that locks the inserted locking piece 44.

A locking piece 49 is connected to the tip (side panel 13A side) of the top panel 12, which is connected to the side panel 13B, via a zipper piece 48. A breaking line 50 consisting of a single zipper is provided between the top panel 12 and zipper piece 48, and between the zipper piece 48 and locking piece 49. A locking hole 51 is provided in the bent portion 16 between the bottom panel 11 and side panel 13A to lock the inserted locking piece 49.

Latching pieces 53 are connected to both ends of the top panel 12 in the longitudinal direction Y via breaking lines 54 consisting of one-sided zippers. A locking hole 55 is provided in the bent portion 43 between the end panel 21 and the inner flap 41 to lock the inserted locking piece 53.

An insertion piece 57 is punched into the tip of the top plate 12, and an insertion hole 58 is provided in the inner flap 40 for inserting the insertion piece 57 to maintain the resealed state.

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the packaging box 10 of the second embodiment will be described.

First, in the blank state shown in Figure 14, a pair of end plates 21 are each bent relative to the bottom plate 11. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, a step is formed in the end plate 21 between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b. Next, the side plates 13A and 13B are each bent relative to the bottom plate 11, and then the adhesive pieces 22 are each bent relative to the side plates 13A and 13B. The adhesive pieces 22 are then attached to the outer surfaces of the first portions 21a of the end plates 21 with adhesive.

Next, the flap 41 is folded against the end plate 21, and then the flap 40 is folded against the side plate 13A, and the locking piece 44 is inserted into the locking hole 46 and locked. This results in the sealing process state shown in Figure 15. In this sealing process state, the outer surface of the second portion 21b of the end plate 21 is located further outward in the longitudinal direction Y than the outer surface of the first portion 21a, and is generally flush with the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22.

Next, after placing items on the bottom plate 11, the top plate 12 is folded relative to the side plate 13B, and the locking piece 53 is inserted and locked into the locking hole 55. Next, the zipper piece 48 is folded relative to the top plate 12, and the locking piece 49 folded relative to the zipper piece 48 is inserted and locked into the locking hole 51. This locks the top plate 12 to the flaps 40, 41, completing the sealed packaging box 10 shown in Figure 13.

Referring to Figure 13, in the sealed packaging box 10, there is almost no difference in level between the outer surface of the second portion 21b of the end plate 21 and the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22. In other words, the outer surface of the end plate 21 and the outer surface of the adhesive piece 22 can be positioned flush, allowing the packaging box 10 to be manufactured to the designed external dimensions.

To open the sealed packaging box 10 shown in Figure 13, grasp the left end of the zipper piece 48 in Figure 13 and pull it to the right. This separates the zipper piece 48 along the break line 50. Next, grasp the tip of the top panel 12 and pull the top panel 12 upward toward the side panel 13B. This breaks the ridge between the top panel 12 and the locking piece 53 along the break line 54, allowing the packaging box 10 to be opened as shown in Figure 16.

As described above, in the packaging box 10 of the second embodiment, similar to the packaging box 10 of the first embodiment, a pair of first bent portions 25, second bent portions 26 spaced apart from the first bent portions 25 on the outside in the longitudinal direction Y, and a punched portion 27 extending through the end plate 21 in the height direction Z are provided between the bottom plate 11 and a pair of end plates 21. This creates a step in the end plate 21, and an adhesive piece 22 is attached to the first portion 21a corresponding to the first bent portion 25. Therefore, the step in the end plate 21 can absorb the thickness of the adhesive piece 22, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a step that would otherwise occur when attaching the adhesive piece 22 to the outer surface of the end plate 21. This allows the outer surfaces of the end plate 21 and the adhesive piece 22 to be positioned flush with each other. This allows the packaging box 10 to be manufactured with the designed external dimensions.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and various modifications are possible.

For example, the container may be an open-top tray that does not have the top plate 12 and inner flaps 40, 41 shown in the second embodiment.

The fold lines that make up the bend section are not limited to general-purpose creases or lead creases consisting of general-purpose creases and cutting lines, and can be changed as needed as long as they are configured to bend without breaking when an external force is applied.

The bottom plate 11 and the pair of side plates 13A, 13B, and the top plate 12 and the pair of side plates 13A, 13B may be connected via chamfered plates, and may have an octagonal shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y. Furthermore, the bottom plate 11 and the pair of end plates 21, and the top plate 12 and the pair of cover plates 23 may also be connected via chamfered plates, and may have an octagonal shape when viewed from the width direction X.

The material of the packaging box 10 is not limited to cardboard sheets made of paper, but may also be cardboard sheets made of resin. Furthermore, the material of the packaging box 10 is not limited to cardboard sheets, but may also be single-layer cardboard or resin sheets.

10 Packaging box (container)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Bottom plate 12 Top plate 13A, 13B Side plate 14 Side plate main body 15 Seam 16 Folded portion 16a Fold line 17 Folded portion 17a, 17b Fold line 18 General-purpose crease 19 Cut line 19a Protruding portion 20 Cover wall 21 End plate 21a First portion 21b Second portion 21c Continuing portion 22 Adhesive piece 22a Tip portion 22b Chamfered portion 23 Cover plate 24 Folded portion 25 First folded portion 25a First folded line 26 Second folded portion 26a Second folded line 27 Punched portion 27a Continuing portion 27b Punched portion main body 27c Separation portion 27d Tear prevention portion 27e Cut line 27f First portion 27g Second portion 27h Third portion 27i Extension portion 28 Fold line 29 Fold portion 29a Fold line 30 Fold portion 31 Non-break portion 31a Fold line 32 Break portion 32a Break line 35 Opening structure 36 Operating portion 36a Break line 37 Break line 37a Break portion 37b Break portion 40 Inner flap 41 Inner flap 42 Fold portion 42a Fold line 43 Fold portion 43a Fold line 44 Locking piece 45 Fold portion 45a Fold line 46 Locking hole 48 Zipper piece 49 Locking piece 50 Break line 51 Locking hole 53 Locking piece 54 Break line 55 Locking hole 57 Insertion piece 58 Insertion hole X Width direction (first direction)
Y: Length direction (second direction)
Z height direction (third direction)

Claims (6)

a bottom plate extending along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a pair of side plates respectively connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the first direction and extending along the second direction and a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction;
a top plate connected to each end of the pair of side plates in the third direction and spaced apart from the bottom plate in the third direction;
a pair of end plates connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the second direction and extending along the first direction and the third direction;
a total of four adhesive pieces connected to both ends of the pair of side plates in the second direction and attached to the outer surfaces of the adjacent end plates;
a cover plate connected to each end of the top plate in the second direction and attached to the end plate and the outer surface of each of the pair of attachment pieces,
Between the bottom plate and the pair of end plates,
a pair of first bent portions provided on both sides in the first direction to correspond to the pair of adhesive pieces, and each extending in the first direction;
a second bent portion provided on the outer side of the first bent portion in the second direction with a gap therebetween and extending in the first direction between the pair of first bent portions;
a punched portion connected to at least one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion, penetrating the end plate and extending in a direction away from the bottom plate along the third direction. The container described in claim 1, wherein the punched portion includes a continuous portion that connects to the first folded portion and the second folded portion. A container as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance from the bent portion between the side panel and the adhesive piece to the punched portion is equal to or greater than the length from the bent portion to the tip of the adhesive piece. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length of the punched portion in the third direction is at least one-third of the width of the adhesive piece in the third direction. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end plate has a fold line that slopes toward the top plate as it extends from the end of the punched portion facing the top plate toward the outside in the first direction. a bottom plate extending along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a pair of side plates respectively connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the first direction and extending along the second direction and a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction;
a pair of end plates connected to both ends of the bottom plate in the second direction and extending along the first direction and the third direction;
a total of four attachment pieces connected to both ends of the pair of side plates in the second direction and attached to the outer surfaces of the adjacent end plates,
Between the bottom plate and the pair of end plates,
a pair of first bent portions provided on both sides in the first direction to correspond to the pair of adhesive pieces, and each extending in the first direction;
a second bent portion provided on the outer side of the first bent portion in the second direction with a gap therebetween and extending in the first direction between the pair of first bent portions;
a punched portion that is connected to at least one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion, penetrates the end plate, and extends in a direction away from the bottom plate along the third direction ,
A container comprising a top plate that closes the ends of the pair of side plates and the pair of end plates in the third direction and is positioned at a distance from the bottom plate in the third direction .