Individual packaging box

Abstract

An independent packaging box (1) includes a main body portion (3) having a first side panel (31a) and a second side panel (31c) opposed to each other. When a front end portion (21) is deformed to conform to the shape of a slit (23) and enters the inside of the main body portion (3) through the slit (23) in a state where a top panel (5) closes an opening (11) and an inner flap (7) is located on the inner surface side of the second side panel (31c), the front end portion (21) is restored in the inside of the main body portion (3). Thus, it is not possible to pull out from the inside of the main body portion (3) through the slit (23) to the outside of the main body portion (3), thereby maintaining the state where the top panel (5) closes the opening (11). A through-hole (17) for inserting an opening tool (25) into the inside of the main body portion (3) is formed in the top panel (5), the opening tool being used to deform the front end portion (21) restored in the inside of the main body portion (3) to conform to the shape of the slit (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure pertains to individual packaging boxes. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, sealing strips were used to prevent improper opening of individually packaged boxes placed in stores. In recent years, considering environmental impact, individually packaged boxes that prevent improper opening without sealing strips have emerged. Patent Document 1 describes an individually packaged box that uses inner and outer flaps to close one opening of a quadrangular prism-shaped box body. An insert with a pair of bendable locking tabs is connected to the outer flap. The inner flap has cuts for inserting the insert with the pair of locking tabs bent. When the insert with the pair of locking tabs bent through the cuts is inserted into the inside of the box body, the pair of locking tabs open from the inside of the box body and lock, thus preventing the individually packaged box from being opened.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-26146 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Regarding the individual packaging box described in Patent Document 1, once the insert is inserted into the inside of the box body and the individual packaging box is closed, it cannot be opened. When it is necessary to remove the product (the stored item) from the individual packaging box for reasons such as inspection or repair, the inner and outer flaps may be damaged, or the box body may be deformed, making it unusable.

[0007] One or more embodiments aim to provide an individual packaging box that can prevent improper opening without using an anti-opening seal, and which opens the individual packaging box after the contents are placed in and the individual packaging box is closed.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, a self-contained packaging box is provided, comprising: a main body having a first side panel and a second side panel facing each other, and having an opening for taking out and placing stored items; a top panel connected to an end of the first side panel at the opening side, and rotating relative to the first side panel to open and close the opening; an inner folding wing connected to the top panel, rotating relative to the top panel, wherein the inner folding wing is located on the inner surface side of the second side panel when the top panel closes the opening; and an outer folding wing having: a base connected to the second side panel and rotating relative to the second side panel; and a front end portion connected to the base and rotating relative to the base, wherein the inner folding wing is located on the inner surface side of the second side panel ... A non-linear slit is formed on the inner flap. When the opening is closed by the top plate and the inner flap is located on the inner surface of the second side plate, the front end is deformed to conform to the shape of the slit and enters the interior of the main body through the slit. The front end is configured to return to its original position inside the main body, so that it cannot be pulled out from the interior of the main body through the slit to the exterior of the main body. This maintains the state of the top plate closing the opening. A through hole is formed on the top plate for inserting an opening tool into the interior of the main body. The opening tool is used to deform the front end, which returns to its original position inside the main body, to conform to the shape of the slit.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the individual packaging box can prevent improper opening without using an anti-opening seal, and the individual packaging box is opened after the contents are placed in and the individual packaging box is closed. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 It is a separate packaging box in one or more embodiments, and is a perspective view showing the open opening state.

[0011] Figure 2 This is an unfolded view of the first component, which constitutes the first and second components of the independent packaging box in one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 This is an unfolded view of the second component of the first and second components constituting an independent packaging box in one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a stand-alone packaging box in one or more embodiments, and is a perspective view showing the intermediate state of the closed opening.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a stand-alone packaging box in one or more embodiments, and is a perspective view showing the state before the opening is closed and the outer flap is inserted into the main body.

[0015] Figure 6It is a stand-alone packaging box in one or more embodiments, and is a perspective view showing the state with the opening closed and the outer flap inserted into the main body.

[0016] Figure 7 and Figure 4 Similarly, it is a partial cross-sectional view of an individual packaging box in one or more embodiments of a closed-open intermediate state, cut by a plane orthogonal to the X direction.

[0017] Figure 8 and Figure 5 Similarly, it is a partial cross-sectional view of an individual packaging box in one or more embodiments, before the closed opening and the outer flaps are inserted into the main body, cut by a plane orthogonal to the X direction.

[0018] Figure 9 From Figure 8 The partial plan view of the individual packaging box in one or more embodiments is viewed in the direction of arrow A8.

[0019] Figure 10 and Figure 5 Similarly, it is a partial cross-sectional view of an individual packaging box in one or more embodiments, with the closed opening and the outer flap inserted into the main body, cut by a plane orthogonal to the X direction.

[0020] Figure 11 It is Figure 10 The individual packaging boxes shown are cut at A100-A100 and along... Figure 10 The local plan view observed in the direction of arrow A10.

[0021] Figure 12 It means bringing the opening tool close. Figure 10 A partial cross-sectional view of the state of the individual packaging boxes shown.

[0022] Figure 13 It is Figure 12 The individual packaging boxes shown are cut at A120-A120 and along... Figure 12 The local plan view observed in the direction of arrow A12.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the opening tool inserted into the main body.

[0024] Figure 15 It is Figure 14 The individual packaging boxes shown are cut at A140-A140 and along... Figure 14 The local plan view observed in the direction of arrow A14. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1The individual packaging box 1 in one or more embodiments shown contains, as an example, electrical equipment such as headphones or other arbitrary devices. Figure 1 As shown, the individual packaging box 1 includes a main body 3, a top plate 5, inner folding wings 7, and outer folding wings 9. The main body 3 is formed into a cuboid box shape. The top plate 5 is rectangular. The long side direction of the main body 3 is defined as the X direction (left-right direction), the short side direction of the main body 3 orthogonal to the X direction is defined as the Y direction (depth direction), and the direction orthogonal to both the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction (height direction).

[0026] The main body 3 includes a base plate 29 and four side plates 31a to 31d. Side plates 31a (first side plate) and 31c (second side plate) are opposite each other, and side plates 31b and 31d are opposite each other. The main body 3 has an opening 11 at its upper end (Z-direction end) for taking out and placing the stored item. When viewed from the side plate 31c side, the individual packaging box 1 is formed in a left-right symmetrical manner. The individual packaging box 1 is formed of a material such as paper of a specified thickness. It is assumed that the material forming the individual packaging box 1 is paper.

[0027] As an example, the individual packaging box 1, by... Figure 2 The first component 39 shown in the unfolded diagram and Figure 3 The second component 41 shown in the unfolded diagram is bent at the bend line indicated by the dashed line, and the appropriate parts are glued together to form an integral unit.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the first component 39 includes a top plate 5, an inner folding wing 7, side plates 31a and 31b, a bottom plate component 43, side folding wings 45, a bottom folding wing 47, and a connecting piece 49. The first component 39 can be formed by cutting a sheet of paper. Figure 3 As shown, the second component 41 includes an outer flap 9, side plates 31c and 31d, a top flap 51, a bottom plate component 53, side flaps 55, a bottom flap 57, and a connecting piece 59. The second component 41 can also be formed by cutting a sheet of paper.

[0029] The connecting piece 49 of the first component 39 is attached to the end of the inner surface of the side plate 31d of the second component 41. The connecting piece 59 of the second component 41 is attached to the end of the inner surface of the side plate 31b of the first component 39. The bottom plate components 43 and 53 are attached to the bottom flaps 47 and 57, forming... Figure 1 The base plate 29 is shown. As described above, it is formed... Figure 1 The individual packaging box shown is 1.

[0030] Here, the case where the individual packaging box 1 is formed from two pieces of paper, the first component 39 and the second component 41, is shown. However, the individual packaging box 1 can also be formed from a single piece of paper. In this case, for example, the side plate 31b and the side plate 31c can be connected simply by removing the connecting piece 59. In addition, here, the bottom plate 29 is formed from the bottom plate components 43 and 53 and the bottom flaps 47 and 57, but the method of forming the bottom plate 29 is not limited.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The structure of the individual packaging box 1 will be further described in detail. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the top plate 5 is connected to the upper end of the side plate 31a. The top plate 5 can rotate freely relative to the side plate 31a with its boundary portion 13 as the center of rotation. Rotation refers to bidirectional rotation within an angle range of less than 360 degrees. Through the rotation of the top plate 5, the opening 11 of the main body 3 is opened and closed. The inner folding wing 7 is connected to the end of the top plate 5 opposite to the boundary portion 13. The inner folding wing 7 can rotate freely relative to the top plate 5 with its boundary portion 15 (first boundary portion) as the center of rotation.

[0032] On the top plate 5, four circular through holes 17 are provided near the inner fold 7. Each through hole 17 includes a pair of inner through holes 171 and a pair of outer through holes 172. The four through holes 17 are arranged in the X direction with a predetermined interval. The through holes 17 are sized such that a human finger cannot penetrate them. A slit 23 is formed through the inner fold 7. The slit 23 is not linear but rather non-linear. The four through holes 17 are located near the boundary portion 15 within the range of both ends of the slit 23 in the X direction.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the slit 23 includes a central portion 231, a pair of intermediate portions 232 sandwiching the central portion 231, and a pair of end portions 233 sandwiching the central portion 231 and the intermediate portions 232. The central portion 231 is provided in connection with the boundary portion 15. The intermediate portions 232 are configured to move further away from the boundary portion 15 as they move towards the two outer sides in the X direction, and the end portions 233 are configured to move further away from the boundary portion 15 as they move towards the two outer sides in the X direction.

[0034] The central portion 231 is located at the center of the boundary portion 15 in the X direction and is formed as a straight line in the X direction for a predetermined length. The portion connecting the intermediate portion 232 and the central portion 231 is wide, but is formed as a straight line for a predetermined length. The end portion 233 connecting to the intermediate portion 232 is formed as a straight line for a predetermined length. The angle between the boundary portion 15 and the intermediate portion 232 is angle θ1. The angle between the boundary portion 15 and the end portion 233 is angle θ2, which is larger than angle θ1. The pair of intermediate portions 232 and the pair of end portions 233 are linearly symmetrical about the center of the boundary portion 15 in the X direction with respect to a straight line orthogonal to the boundary portion 15.

[0035] The middle portion 232 and the end portion 233 are inclined portions that connect to the central portion 231 on both outer sides and slope away from the boundary portion 15. The inclined portion can be formed by a single straight line segment with one angle, or by three or more straight line segments with three or more angles. Since the slit 23 has the central portion 231 and the inclined portions, it is non-linear. The inclined portion in the slit 23 can be formed by an arc-shaped curve, and the entire slit 23 can also be formed by an arc-shaped curve.

[0036] Depend on Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that a pair of through holes 171 are formed at a position opposite to a pair of intermediate portions 232, separated by the boundary portion 15. A pair of through holes 172 are formed at a position opposite to a pair of end portions 233, separated by the boundary portion 15.

[0037] A semi-circular through hole 67 is formed in the top plate 5, located in the center of the boundary portion 15 and connected to the central portion 231. As will be described later, the through hole 67 is provided to catch fingers when the outer flap 9 is pulled out or the top plate 5 is opened.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer flap 9 is located near the upper end of the side plate 31c. The outer flap 9 is formed by cutting off a portion of the area spanning the side plate 31c and a part of the top flap 51, and bending the cut-off portion outward at the connection 35 with the side plate 31c. The width of the outer flap 9 in the X direction is narrower than the width of the inner flap 7 in the X direction.

[0039] The outer flap 9 includes a base 19 and a front end 21, the front end 21 being bent at the boundary 37 (second boundary) between the base 19 and the front end 21. The boundary 37 is located at the center of the base 19 and the front end 21 in the width direction. The base 19 is formed from a portion of the cut-off side plate 31c, and the front end 21 is formed from a portion of the cut-off top flap 51.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, two cuts 33 of a predetermined length are formed at the end of the side plate 31c on the side of the top wing 51 (the upper end of the main body 3). The connecting portion 35 is a line segment that connects the ends of the two cuts 33 on the side away from the top wing 51. The outer wing 9 can rotate freely relative to the side plate 31c with the connecting portion 35 as the rotation center. The front end portion 21 can rotate freely relative to the base portion 19 with the boundary portion 37 as the rotation center. The connecting portion 35 and the boundary portion 37 are parallel to each other.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, cutouts 71 are formed between the base 19 on both outer sides of the boundary portion 37 and the front end portion 21. By forming cutouts 71 between the base 19 (excluding the boundary portion 37) and the front end portion 21, the two ends of the front end portion 21 in the width direction are allowed to flex in a direction intersecting the surface of the front end portion 21.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, a crease 20 orthogonal to the boundary portion 37 can also be provided at the front end portion 21. The paper thickness at the crease 20 can also be thinner than other parts of the front end portion 21. By providing a crease 20 at the front end portion 21, the front end portion 21 can easily deform in the direction intersecting the surface.

[0043] The individual packaging box 1, constructed as described above, is in its initial state as follows: Figure 1 The opening 11 shown is open. If the item to be stored is placed inside the main body 3, and the side flaps 45 and 55 are rotated to cover the left and right ends of the opening 11, and the top flap 51 is rotated relative to the side plate 31c to cover the opening 11, then it becomes... Figure 4 or Figure 7 The state shown is such that the top flap 51 roughly blocks the opening 11 at a position inside the top plate 5.

[0044] exist Figure 4 or Figure 7 In the state shown, the top plate 5 is rotated in a manner close to the top folding wing 51, and when the left and right ends of the inner folding wing 7 are inserted into the gap 52, it becomes... Figure 5 or Figure 8 As shown, gap 52 is formed on both outer sides of the outer wing 9 between the side plate 31c and the top wing 51. Figure 5 or Figure 8 In the shown state, the inner flap 7 is located on the inner surface of the side plate 31c, blocking the opening formed by cutting off the base 19 at the upper end of the side plate 31c. The top plate 5 blocks the opening formed by cutting off the front end 21 of the top flap 51, covering the entire top flap 51. The top plate 5 closes the opening 11 via the side flaps 45 and 55 and the top flap 51.

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown, the inner folding 7 contacts the inner surface of the side plate 31c. Figure 8 In the diagram, when the outer wing 9 is observed in the direction of arrow A8, the inner wing 7 and the outer wing 9 form a symmetry. Figure 9 The positional relationship shown.

[0046] exist Figure 5 or Figure 8 In the state shown, if the base 19 and the front end 21 are rotated to deform the left and right ends of the front end 21 to conform to the shape of the slit 23, and the front end 21 is allowed to pass through the slit 23 and enter the interior of the main body 3, then it becomesFigure 6 The state shown. (As indicated) Figure 11 As shown by the double-dotted line, if the front end 21 is inserted into the slit 23, the front end 21 will deform in a manner that mimics the shape of the slit 23 and pass through the slit 23.

[0047] If the entire front end portion 21 passes through the slit 23 and enters the interior of the main body 3, the deformed front end portion 21 returns to its state before passing through the slit 23. Therefore, as Figure 10 As shown, the front end portion 21 contacts the inner surface of the top plate 5. Figure 11 In the diagram, the front end 21 that contacts the inner surface of the top plate 5 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0048] If the front end 21 returns to its pre-deformation state inside the main body 3, even if the outer flap 9 is rotated outward by pressing the front end 21 with a finger through the through hole 67, the front end 21 cannot pass through the slit 23 from inside the main body 3, and therefore the outer flap 9 cannot be pulled outward from the main body 3. Thus, the top plate 5 maintains the state of closing the opening 11 of the main body 3 via the side flaps 45 and 55 and the top flap 51. Figure 10 Even if the top plate 5 is to be rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A1, it cannot be rotated because the outer flap 9 is hooked to the inner flap 7.

[0049] The inner flap 7 and outer flap 9, which are in the state where the front end 21 enters the interior of the main body 3 through the slit 23, function as closed state maintenance parts to maintain the state of the top plate 5 with the opening 11 closed.

[0050] As described above, if the item to be stored is placed inside the main body 3 and as... Figure 6 If the individual packaging box 1 is closed as shown, the outer flap 9 cannot be pulled out, and the top panel 5 cannot be opened. The individual packaging box 1 can prevent improper opening without the need for tamper-evident seals.

[0051] After the stored item is placed inside the main body 3 and the individual packaging box 1 is closed, sometimes it may be necessary to remove the stored item from the individual packaging box 1 for reasons such as inspection or repair. The individual packaging box 1 is configured such that it can be opened using a dedicated opening tool after being closed. When the individual packaging box 1 is opened using the opening tool, the inner flap 7 and outer flap 9 will not be damaged or the main body 3 will not be deformed, so there is no need to replace the individual packaging box 1.

[0052] use Figures 12 to 15 This describes the opening tools used to open the individual packaging box 1, and how to use these tools to open the individual packaging box 1. Figure 12 or Figure 13As shown, the opening tool 25 has a quadrangular prism-shaped tool body 250 and two pairs of cylindrical protrusions 251 and 252 protruding from the tool body 250. The pair of cylindrical protrusions 251 have a first length, and the pair of cylindrical protrusions 252 have a second length longer than the first length. The opening tool 25, having the tool body 250 and the two pairs of protrusions 251 and 252, can be formed, for example, by integral molding of synthetic resin.

[0053] The spacing between a pair of cylindrical protrusions 251 is the same as the spacing between the inner pair of through holes 171 among the four through holes 17, and the spacing between a pair of cylindrical protrusions 252 is the same as the spacing between the outer pair of through holes 172 among the four through holes 17. The diameters of the protrusions 251 and 252 are slightly smaller than the diameter of the through holes 17. Therefore, both pairs of protrusions 251 and 252 can be inserted into the four through holes 17.

[0054] like Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, when the opening tool 25 is pressed in, a pair of protrusions 251 deform the portion of the front end portion 21 that is on both outer sides of the boundary portion 37, and a pair of protrusions 252 deform the two ends of the front end portion 21. Figure 15 As shown, a pair of protrusions 251 deform the portion of the front end portion 21 that is on both outer sides of the boundary portion 37 in a manner opposite to a pair of intermediate portions 232 of the slit 23. A pair of protrusions 252 deform the two ends of the front end portion 21 in a manner opposite to a pair of ends 233 of the slit 23.

[0055] That is, the first length of the pair of protrusions 251 is the length by which the portion of the front end portion 21 that is on both sides of the boundary portion 37 is deformed in a manner that conforms to the position and shape of the pair of middle portions 232 of the slit 23. The second length of the pair of protrusions 252 is the length by which the two ends of the front end portion 21 are deformed in a manner that conforms to the position and shape of the pair of ends 233 of the slit 23.

[0056] Therefore, when the protrusions 251 and 252 of the opening tool 25 are inserted into the through hole 17, and the outer flap 9 is rotated outward by pressing the front end 21 with a finger through the through hole 67, the front end 21 can pull the outer flap 9 outward through the slit 23 from inside the main body 3. If the outer flap 9 is pulled out, the individual packaging box 1 returns to its original position. Figure 5 or Figure 8 The state shown. In Figure 5 If a finger is placed in the through hole 67 and the top plate 5 is lifted, the top plate 5 can be moved towards... Figure 8 Rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A1. When the top plate 5 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A1, the individual packaging box 1 can be returned to its original position. Figure 4 or Figure 7 The state shown, and therefore, the ability to return toFigure 1 The state shown.

[0057] As described above, when it is necessary to remove the stored item from the individual packaging box 1 for reasons such as inspection or repair, the individual packaging box 1 can be opened and the stored item removed using the dedicated opening tool 25. At this time, there will be no damage to the inner flap 7 or the outer flap 9, or deformation of the main body 3. After the inspection or repair of the stored item is completed, the stored item can be re-stored inside the main body 3 and the individual packaging box 1 can be closed. When it is necessary to remove the stored item from the individual packaging box 1 before the product leaves the factory, the opening tool 25 can be used to remove the stored item. Improper opening can be prevented in stores or other locations after the product has left the factory.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the individual packaging box 1 is formed symmetrically from left to right, but it can also be formed asymmetrically from left to right. The slit 23 can also be formed asymmetrically from left to right. Consequently, the outer flap 9 can also be formed asymmetrically from left to right. The inclined portion of the slit 23 can also be formed only on one side in the left-right direction. Consequently, the front end portion 21 of the outer flap 9 can also be configured to be deformed only on one side in the left-right direction. The through holes 17 formed in the top plate 5 are configured in positions and numbers corresponding to the changes in the slit 23 and the front end portion 21. The opening tool 25 is formed in a shape corresponding to the changes in the through holes 17, the slit 23, and the front end portion 21.

[0059] This invention is not limited to the one or more embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0060] This application claims priority to Japan Patent Application No. 2020-203966, filed on December 9, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An individual packaging box, comprising: The main body has a first side plate and a second side plate that are opposite each other, and has an opening for taking out and putting in the stored items; The top plate is connected to the end of the first side plate on the opening side, and rotates relative to the first side plate to open and close the opening; The inner folding wing is connected to the top plate and rotates relative to the top plate. When the top plate closes the opening, the inner folding wing is located on the inner surface of the second side plate. as well as The outer flap has: a base that is connected to and rotates relative to the second side plate; And the front end portion, which is connected to the base and rotates relative to the base. A non-linear slit is formed on the inner folding wing. With the top plate closed and the inner flap located on the inner surface of the second side plate, when the front end is deformed to conform to the shape of the slit and enters the interior of the main body through the slit, the front end is configured to return to its original position inside the main body, thus preventing it from being pulled out of the main body through the slit, thereby maintaining the state of the top plate closing the opening. The slit includes: a central portion configured to connect with the top plate and the first boundary portion of the inner folding wing; and inclined portions connected to the central portion on both outer sides of the central portion and inclined away from the first boundary portion. The inclined portion is formed by multiple pairs of straight line segments arranged on the two outer sides sandwiching the central portion. The angle of each pair of straight line segments relative to the first boundary portion is larger the further outward the line segment is. Multiple pairs of through holes are formed on the top plate in a manner that faces each pair of line segments across the first boundary portion. These through holes are used to insert an opening tool into the interior of the main body portion. The opening tool is used to deform the front end portion that is restored inside the main body portion to conform to the shape of the slit.

2. The individual packaging box as described in claim 1, wherein, The base portion and the front end portion are connected to a second boundary portion, which is located at the center of the width direction of the base portion and the front end portion. A cut is formed between the base and the front end portion on both outer sides of the second boundary portion, the cut allowing the two ends of the front end portion in the width direction to flex in a direction intersecting the surface of the front end portion.

3. The individual packaging box as described in claim 1, further comprising: A top flap, connected to the end of the second side plate on the opening side, rotates relative to the second side plate and blocks the opening at a position closer to the inside of the top plate. The outer flap is formed by cutting through the area spanning the second side plate and the top flap. The portion after the second side plate is cut off is the base, and the portion after the top wing is cut off is the front end.

4. The individual packaging box as described in claim 2, further comprising: A top flap, connected to the end of the second side plate on the opening side, rotates relative to the second side plate and blocks the opening at a position closer to the inside of the top plate. The outer flap is formed by cutting through the area spanning the second side plate and the top flap. The portion after the second side plate is cut off is the base, and the portion after the top wing is cut off is the front end.

5. The individual packaging box as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The opening tool has: a tool body; and multiple pairs of protrusions protruding from the tool body and used for insertion into the multiple pairs of through holes. The length of each pair of protrusions in the plurality of pairs of protrusions is such that when the plurality of pairs of protrusions are inserted into the plurality of through holes, the front end is deformed to conform to the position and shape of each pair of line segments in the inclined portion.

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