packaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package (1) foldable between: - a use configuration, in which a bottom (20) and panels (21, 22, 23) form a box (2); - a flat configuration, in which the panels (21, 22, 23) and a lid (3) extend substantially parallel to the bottom (20); said package (1) comprising: - locking means (4) for locking the lid (3) in a closed position in the use configuration of the package (1), the locking means (4) establishing a mechanical connection between an upper edge (211) of the front panel (21) and a front edge (31) of the lid (3) in the locked configuration; - guiding means (5) for guiding the lid (3) to its closed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The field of the invention is the field of logistics.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging for transporting items between two destinations, also called a packaging device, that is to say a container. BACKGROUND

[0003] To safely transport items, it is known to use packaging such as boxes of plastic material and cardboard.

[0004] Generally speaking, the packaging comprises a shell having a bottom and an outer peripheral frame which together define a loading space in which at least one item to be transported is housed.

[0005] The packaging also comprises a movable lid with respect to the shell or attached to the shell, which lid is in particular able to adopt a closed position of the loading space in which it closes the loading space of the shell.

[0006] These packagings are generally foldable. Thus, they are movable between a use configuration in which the shell forms and defines the loading space and a flat configuration in which the packaging is folded on itself and generates a reduced space requirement.

[0007] More particularly, the outer peripheral frame comprises:

[0008] - a first panel;

[0009] - a second panel;

[0010] - a third panel opposite the first panel;

[0011] - a fourth panel opposite the second panel.

[0012] Thus, each panel can adopt:

[0013] - a loading position in which the panel extends substantially parallel to the bottom;

[0014] - a use position in which the panel extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom.

[0015] Before transporting the items, the user takes hold of the packaging in the flat configuration to shape it. Indeed, most often, when the packaging is in the loading state, the panels of the outer peripheral frame are in their loading position, which means that the packaging is in the flat configuration.

[0016] The user must then shape the shell, that is to say, by positioning each panel of the outer peripheral frame in its use position to define the loading space.

[0017] The user can then insert the article into the loading space and position the lid in the closed position of the loading space.

[0018] Generally, the packages are made of cardboard. These cardboard packages are generally used only once for a shipment or for a particularly limited number of shipments.

[0019] These cardboard packages tend to degrade particularly quickly, depending on the handling conditions of these packages and the environmental conditions to which they can be subjected.

[0020] Thus, considering the volume of cardboard used during the logistics transport, the use of these cardboard can be considered not ecological and particularly resource-intensive, even considering the simple and easy-to-produce nature of this type of package.

[0021] Recently, reusable packaging items have emerged.

[0022] These reusable packages have the ability to be used several times before having to be recycled or repaired. To this end, these packages comprise walls formed of materials that are more durable and more resistant than cardboard.

[0023] Finally, despite having a more complex and more expensive design or manufacture than cardboard packages, the ecological footprint of such reusable packages is better.

[0024] These reusable packages generally comprise integrated locking means, making it possible to lock the lid in a position closing access to the loading space.

[0025] The locking means can in particular take the form of an anchoring point and a bolt intended to hook the anchoring point. For example, one of the lid or the shell has a ring forming an anchoring point, and the other of the lid or the shell has a cavity into which the ring is inserted in the closed configuration of the lid, the bolt being movably mounted within the cavity to hook the ring and keep it captured in the cavity.

[0026] However, the use of reusable packages raises certain problems.

[0027] In particular, one of the problems identified concerns the closure of the package.

[0028] Indeed, during the folding of the package, the lid can not move to its closed position and be correctly locked.

[0029] More particularly, the problem of directly and correctly aligning the locking means during the closure of the lid is observed.

[0030] This alignment problem is in particular caused by the nature of the reusable packages, which in particular implement a panel material that can show deformations when they are used. SUMMARY

[0031] The object of the present application is in particular to overcome this drawback of the prior art.

[0032] More specifically, the object of the present application is to propose a reusable packaging which can be correctly closed and locked on the first closure attempt by the user and which remains so throughout the service life of the packaging.

[0033] These objects, and others which will emerge later, are achieved by the present application which relates to a packaging comprising:

[0034] - a bottom;

[0035] - panels comprising a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels pivotally mounted on the bottom;

[0036] - closure means comprising a lid pivotally mounted on the rear panel via a rear pivotal connection;

[0037] the packaging being foldable between:

[0038] - a use configuration in which at least the bottom, the front panel and the side panels form a shell defining a loading space and in which the closure means can close the loading space;

[0039] - a flat configuration in which the panels and the lid extend substantially parallel to the bottom;

[0040] the packaging further comprising locking means for locking the lid in a closed position of the loading space in the use configuration of the packaging, the locking means establishing a mechanical connection between an upper edge of the front panel and a front edge of the lid in a locked configuration,

[0041] characterized in that it comprises guiding means for guiding the lid to its closed position, the guiding means being distinct from the rear pivotal connection, the guiding means being designed to force the front edge of the lid against the displacement of the upper edge of the front panel when the lid approaches its closed position.

[0042] Thanks to the packaging according to the application, the closure of the lid is guided so that, during this closure, the front edge of the lid abuts against the upper edge of the front panel and so that the locking means can directly lock the lid.

[0043] Thus, these guiding means make it possible to compensate for the fact that the package according to the application can be of the reusable type, that is to say, of the type made of material that, when the package is used, can undergo deformations, even slight ones, that can limit the ability of the package to close correctly on the first attempt by the user without complex manipulations, or in particular to compensate for these deformations.

[0044] Thus, the guiding means compensate for these possible deformations by constraining the lid so as to take the correct position after it is closed.

[0045] According to an advantageous feature, the guiding means comprise at least one pair of guiding elements comprising:

[0046] - a guiding slide having a flared entrance;

[0047] - a male guiding element for insertion into and sliding into the guiding slide as the lid approaches its closed position.

[0048] Thanks to this guiding element, the uncertainty of the position of the male guiding element during the closing of the lid is compensated by the fact that the slide has an entrance.

[0049] Indeed, during the closing, the male guiding element can penetrate the flared entrance by assuming a variable position within the flared entrance, then the slide makes it possible to guide this male guiding element and bring it to its terminal position, which corresponds to the terminal position that the male guiding element must assume when the lid is in its closed position.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, the guiding means comprise two deployable guiding arms, each extending between a first end and a second end, each guiding arm being movably connected to the lid by its first end in a rotating manner at the level of the junction point located immediately adjacent to the front edge and to one lateral edge of the lid, and said guiding means comprising a main pair of guiding elements for each guiding arm, each main pair comprising:

[0051] - a main slide extending on the inner face of the side panel immediately adjacent to the guiding arm;

[0052] - a main male element located at the second end of the guiding arm.

[0053] Thanks to this embodiment, even if the lid is in a position relatively far from the closed position that it must reach, the guiding arms make it possible to form a pre-guiding of the lid.

[0054] In fact, these guide arms deploy under the lid to enable positioning of each main male element away from the lid, said main male element being intended to be inserted into and to slide in its main slide.

[0055] The positioning of each main male element away from the lid on a guide arm that is movable relative to the lid risks causing positioning errors of the main male element relative to the main slide. These positioning errors are advantageously compensated by the flared inlet of each main slide.

[0056] Advantageously, each guide arm forms part of a deformable parallelogram connected to the rear panel.

[0057] The position of the guide arms and their deployment are thus imposed by the respective positions of the rear panel and the lid.

[0058] The rotation of the rear panel relative to the base and the rotation of the lid relative to the rear panel thus make it possible to position each arm precisely relative to each of the main slides and guide elements of the arms.

[0059] According to one advantageous solution, the guide device comprises two pairs of terminal guide elements, each pair of terminal guide elements comprising:

[0060] - a terminal slide extending on an inner surface of one of the side panels, next to the upper edge of the front panel and the front edge of the lid in the use configuration of the package with the lid in its closed position;

[0061] - a male terminal element connected to the lid by being located next to the front edge of the lid.

[0062] These two pairs of terminal guide elements make it possible to perform a more specific guidance in the final phase of approach of the lid to the closed position.

[0063] In addition, by being defined next to the upper edge of the front panel and the front edge of the lid, these two pairs of terminals ensure that the front edge of the lid comes to bear completely against the upper edge of the front panel.

[0064] Advantageously, each male terminal element is carried by a first end of one of the guide arms.

[0065] In this way, the male terminal elements benefit from the guidance performed by the pairs of main guide elements.

[0066] The guidance in the final phase of approach of the lid to the closed position is thus optimized.

[0067] Preferably, each male terminal element is provided with a corrector designed to prevent the male terminal element from being inserted into the main slide.

[0068] In this way, the insertion of the convex terminal element(s) into the main slider(s) is avoided.

[0069] The benefits provided by the fact that the convex terminal element(s) are carried by the first end(s) of the guide arms are therefore not reduced by the possibility of inserting these convex terminal elements into the main slider.

[0070] According to an advantageous variant, the guide device comprises two pairs of intermediate guide elements, each pair of intermediate guide elements comprising:

[0071] - an intermediate slider;

[0072] - an intermediate convex element,

[0073] The intermediate slider and the intermediate convex element are respectively positioned along a central portion of the side edge of the lid and along a central portion of the upper edge of the side panel, or vice versa.

[0074] These pairs of intermediate guide elements thus make it possible to perform the guiding at the level of the intermediate portion of the lid, thereby ensuring that the lid sufficiently advances towards the front panel of the package during the preceding phase of approach of the lid to the closed position.

[0075] Preferably, for each pair of intermediate guide elements, the package comprises:

[0076] - a longitudinal tab having a notch forming the intermediate slider;

[0077] - a longitudinal groove having a transverse rib forming the intermediate convex element,

[0078] In the closed position of the lid, the longitudinal tab is inserted into the longitudinal groove.

[0079] In this way, when the lid reaches its closed position, the longitudinal tab is inserted into the longitudinal groove, which, in addition to allowing the lateral guiding of the lid with respect to the side panel to be provided, also allows the lid to present a significant lateral support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] Other characteristics and advantages of the application will become more clearly apparent on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0081] Figure 1 is a schematic top perspective view of a package according to a first embodiment of the application, in flat configuration;

[0082] Figure 2is a schematic top perspective view of a portion of a package in an open use configuration according to a first embodiment of the application, in which a housing defining a loading space is formed from a bottom, a front panel and side panels of the package, and in which a closure device comprising a lid and a rear panel of the package is in an open position;

[0083] Figure 3 is a simplified schematic top perspective view of a package in its use configuration according to a second embodiment of the application, in which a housing is formed from a bottom, a front panel, side panels and a rear panel, and in which a closure device comprising only a lid is in an open position;

[0084] Figure 4 is a simplified schematic top perspective view of a package in its use configuration according to the application, in which a housing is formed, and in which a closure device is in a closed position and closes a loading space;

[0085] Figure 5 is a detailed top perspective view showing a portion of a package locking device according to the application;

[0086] Figure 6 is a detailed top perspective view showing another portion of a package locking device according to the application;

[0087] Figure 7 is a detailed view showing a guide device for guiding a lid of a package according to the application, which guide device in particular comprises a portion of a guide arm carrying a male guide element and a guide slide located on an inner surface of a side panel of the package;

[0088] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a detailed view of the guide device shown from another viewing angle;

[0089] Figure 9 is a detailed view of another type of male guide element of a guide device;

[0090] Figure 10 is a detailed schematic top perspective view showing another type of guide slide of a guide device complementary to the male guide element of Figure 9 ;

[0091] Figure 11 is a schematic representation of a detail of a package according to the application, which shows in side view Figure 9 and Figure 10 the guide device shown in , the lid of the package being in a final stage of approach to its closed position;

[0092] Figure 12 is a detailed schematic top perspective view of a third type of package guide device according to the application;

[0093] Figure 13 is Figure 12 a detailed bottom view of the guiding device shown in figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] With reference to Figures 1 to 4 , a package 1 according to the present application is shown.

[0095] The package 1 comprises a bottom 20, panels 21, 22, 23 and a lid 3.

[0096] The panels 21, 22, 23 comprise in particular:

[0097] - a front panel 21;

[0098] - a back panel 22;

[0099] - two side panels 23.

[0100] With reference to Figure 2 :

[0101] - the front panel 21 comprises an upper edge 211, a lower edge and two side edges 213;

[0102] - the back panel 22 comprises an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges;

[0103] - each side panel 23 comprises an upper edge 231, a lower edge, a front side edge 233 and a back side edge 234.

[0104] The lid 3 comprises a front edge 31, a back edge 32 and two side edges 33.

[0105] The panels 21, 22, 23 are pivotally mounted on the bottom 20.

[0106] Each panel 21, 22, 23 is pivotally connected to the bottom 20 by its lower edge.

[0107] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 , the lid 3 is pivotally mounted on the back panel 22 by a back pivotal connection 320.

[0108] The lid 3 is in particular connected to the upper edge of the back panel 22 by its back edge 32.

[0109] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 , the package 1 is of the folding type.

[0110] To this end, it can in particular adopt a flat configuration (shown in Figure 1 ) and a use configuration (shown in Figure 2 , 3 and 4).

[0111] With reference toFigure 1 The packaging 1 is in its flat configuration. In this flat configuration, the panels 21, 22, 23 and the lid 3 extend substantially parallel to the bottom 20.

[0112] In particular, the rear panel 22 extends continuously with the bottom 20. The side panels 23 (not visible) are folded down onto the bottom 20. The lid 3 is folded down onto the rear panel 22 and the bottom 20, overlapping the side panels 23. Finally, the front panel 21 is pivoted and folded onto the bottom 20, partially covering the side panels 23.

[0113] With reference to Figure 2 , 3 and 4, the packaging 1 is in its use configuration.

[0114] Figure 2 A first embodiment is illustrated, Figure 3 A second embodiment is illustrated.

[0115] In fact, the packaging 1 comprises a closing device comprising the lid 3.

[0116] According to the first embodiment, the closing device further comprises the rear panel 22.

[0117] On the contrary, according to the second embodiment, the closing device does not comprise the rear panel 22, but only the lid 3.

[0118] In the use configuration according to the first embodiment, the bottom 20, the front panel 21 and the side panels 23 form an enclosure which defines a loading space.

[0119] In this use configuration, it is in particular observed that the side edges 213 of the front panel 21 are in contact with the front side edges 233 of the side panels 23.

[0120] In the use configuration according to the second embodiment, the bottom 20, the front panel 21, the side panels 23 and the rear panel 22 form an enclosure which defines a loading space.

[0121] In this use configuration, it is in particular observed that:

[0122] - the side edges 213 of the front panel 21 are in contact with the front side edges 233 of the side panels 23, and

[0123] - the rear side edges 234 of the side panels 23 are in contact with the side edges of the rear panel 22.

[0124] In these use configurations, the closing device can close the loading space.

[0125] In fact:

[0126] - with reference to Figure 2 , both the lid 3 and the rear panel 22 are in an open position which allows access to the loading space;

[0127] - with reference Figure 3 to the opening position of the lid 3 which allows access to the loading space.

[0128] As Figure 4 can be seen, the lid 3, more generally the closure device, is in the closed position, thus preventing access to the loading space.

[0129] As will be detailed below, in the use configuration of the package 1, its lid 3 is in the closed position, the front edge 31 of the lid 3 being in contact with the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21. In addition, the side edges 33 of the lid 3 are in contact with the upper edges 231 of the side panels 23.

[0130] More particularly, when the lid 3 is in the closed position, the front edge 31 of the lid 3 abuts against the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21.

[0131] With reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the package 1 also comprises locking means 4 for locking the lid 3 in its closed position.

[0132] According to the present embodiment, these locking means 4 comprise:

[0133] - a locking ring 41 carried by the lid 3 and protruding from this lid 3;

[0134] - a housing 42 for receiving and hooking the ring 41 provided by the front panel 21.

[0135] These locking means 4 are more particularly provided by faces of the front panel 21 and of the lid 3 which face each other and which are in close proximity to each other when the lid 3 is in the closed position.

[0136] In the closed position of the lid 3, in other words in the locked configuration, the ring 41 is inserted inside the housing 42 and hooked inside this housing 42 so as to keep the ring 41 captured.

[0137] Thus, in this locked configuration, the locking means 4 establish a mechanical connection between the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21 and the front edge 31 of the lid 3.

[0138] In other words, in the locked configuration of the locking means 4, the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21 is fixed to the front edge 31 of the lid 3.

[0139] These locking means 4 are of the contact-actuated type in particular. That is to say, the ring 41 can be freely inserted into the housing 42 until a position of complete insertion into this receiving housing 42, in which position the hooking is automatically actuated, in fact implementing the mechanical connection.

[0140] For example, the hooks can be designed to move away from the housing 42 during the insertion of the ring 41 and to return to the position hooking the ring 41 once this ring 41 is fully inserted into the receiving housing 42. This repositioning of the hooks in their hooking position is performed, for example, under the action of elastic return means.

[0141] With reference to Figure 3 and 7 to 13, and according to the principles of the present application, the package 1 comprises guiding means 5 for guiding the lid 3 to its closed position.

[0142] These guiding means 5 are different from the rear pivoting connection 320.

[0143] The guiding means 5 are designed to force the front edge 31 of the lid 3 to displace against the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21 when the lid 3 approaches its closed position.

[0144] The guiding means 5 are multiple.

[0145] In a manner common to the different types of guiding means 5, these guiding means 5 comprise a pair of guiding elements comprising:

[0146] - a guiding slide 51 ;

[0147] - a male guiding element 52 for being inserted and sliding into the guiding slide 51 when the lid 3 approaches its closed position.

[0148] As will be described in detail below, according to the present embodiment, the guiding means 5 more particularly comprise:

[0149] - at least one pair of primary guiding elements;

[0150] - at least one pair of terminal guiding elements;

[0151] - at least one pair of intermediate guiding elements.

[0152] The guiding slide 51 has a trumpet-shaped inlet 50a, 50b, 50c.

[0153] In other words, these guiding slides 51 extend from their inlet 50a, 50b, 50c while narrowing until they present a passage whose width corresponds in particular to the shape of the male guiding element 52 intended to be inserted and slide into the slide 51.

[0154] Thus, these guiding slides 51 have a funnel shape which, when the male guiding element 52 is inserted, guides its displacement to ensure that once fully inserted into the slide 51, it always adopts the same position.

[0155] As Figure 3 , 6As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 12, the guiding device 5 comprises two guiding arms 53.

[0156] These guiding arms 53 are deployable. In particular, when the package 1 is in its flat configuration, these two guiding arms 53 are foldable under the front panel 21. According to another operating mode, when the package 1 is in its flat configuration, the guiding arms 53 are foldable under the lid 3.

[0157] When the package 1 is deployed and in its use configuration, and when the position of the lid 3 changes, in particular when the lid 3 moves so that it reaches its closed position, these guiding arms 53 deploy.

[0158] Each guiding arm 53 extends between a first end 531 and a second end 532.

[0159] With reference to Figure 3 , 11 and 12, each guiding arm 53 is rotatably movable by its first end 531 at a connection point 5310 to the lid 3. These connection points 5310 are located in the immediate vicinity of the front edge 31 and of each side edge 33, respectively.

[0160] In other words, the two connection points 5310 are located at two corners of the lid 3, at the level of the front edge 31 of the lid 3.

[0161] According to the present embodiment and with reference to Figure 3 , each guiding arm 53 forms part of a deformable parallelogram connected to the rear panel 22.

[0162] By deformable parallelogram, it is understood that the guiding arm 53 has in particular a pivoting connection at its two ends, and that a longitudinal element is connected by another pivoting connection to the pivoting point provided by the second end 532 of the connecting arm 53 and to the rear panel 22.

[0163] The position of the guiding arm 53 is thus determined by the angle formed between the rear panel 22 and the lid 3.

[0164] With reference to Figure 3 , 7 , 8, as mentioned previously, the guiding device 5 comprises a pair of main guiding elements for each guiding arm 53.

[0165] Each pair of main guiding elements comprises a main slide 51a and a main male element 52a.

[0166] The main slide 51a extends on the inner surface of one side panel 23.

[0167] In particular, in the use configuration of the package 1 with the lid 3 in its closed position, this main slide 51a extends in the immediate vicinity of one guiding arm 53.

[0168] In the use configuration of the package 1 with the lid 3 in its closed position, the main male element 52a is located at the second end 532 of the guide arm 53, which is immediately adjacent to the main slider 51a.

[0169] This main male element 52a has a shape for being at least partially inserted inside the main slider 51a through the trumpet-shaped inlet 50a.

[0170] When the main male element 52a advances in the main slider 51a, the main male element 52a is captured by the main slider 51a until the main male element 52a reaches its terminal position at the bottom of the main slider 51a.

[0171] This advancement of the main male element 52a in the main slider 51a generates the guidance of the lid 3.

[0172] With reference to Figure 3 , 9 , 10 and 11, as previously described, the guide device 5 further comprises two pairs of terminal guide elements.

[0173] Each pair of terminal guide elements comprises a terminal slider 51b and a male terminal element 52b.

[0174] The terminal sliders 51b each extend on the inner surface of each side panel 23.

[0175] When the lid 3 is in its closed position, in the use configuration of the package 1, these terminal sliders 51b extend in particular at the immediate proximity of the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21 and of the front edge 31 of the lid 3.

[0176] In other words, the terminal sliders 51b are located at the immediate proximity of the corner of the side panel 23 at which the upper edge 231 and the front side edge 233 for contacting the front panel 21 intersect.

[0177] The male terminal elements 52b are partially connected to the lid 3 by being located at the immediate proximity of the front edge 31 of the lid 3.

[0178] More particularly, each male terminal element 52b is carried by a first end 531 of one guide arm 53. In particular, in the use configuration of the package 1, the male terminal element 52b is present on one surface of each guide arm 53 which is oriented to face the directly adjacent side panel 23.

[0179] According to one embodiment, not shown, each male terminal element 52b can be provided with a corrector which prevents the male terminal element 52b from being inserted into one of the main sliders 51a.

[0180] This corrector is generated, for example, by the difference in shape between the terminal element 52b and the main male element 52a.

[0181] The male terminal element 52b will then have a width and an end incompatible with the flared inlet of the main slider 51a.

[0182] According to the present embodiment, when the user closes the package 1, by pushing or by pulling the front end of the lid 3 towards the front of the package 1, forcing the front edge 31 of the lid 3 to abut the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21, each pair of terminal guide elements enables to compensate any deformation of the lid 3.

[0183] Finally, reference is made to Figure 12 and 13 As mentioned previously, the guide device 5 further comprises two pairs of intermediate guide elements, each pair of intermediate guide elements comprising an intermediate slider 51c and an intermediate male element 52c.

[0184] The two intermediate sliders 51c are respectively positioned along a central portion of the upper edge 231 of each side panel 23.

[0185] As for them, the intermediate male elements 52c are positioned along a central portion of each lateral edge 33 of the lid 3.

[0186] More particularly, the package 1 comprises:

[0187] - two longitudinal tabs 61, each carried by one side panel 23, in particular at the height of the upper edge 231 of each side panel 23;

[0188] - two longitudinal recesses 62, provided by the lid 3.

[0189] The longitudinal tabs 61 are intended to be inserted in the longitudinal recesses 62 in the closed position of the lid 3.

[0190] As Figure 12 and 13 shown, each longitudinal tab 61 has a notch 610 forming an intermediate slider 51c and each longitudinal recess 62 has a transversal rib forming an intermediate male element 52c.

[0191] The intermediate sliders 51c are of course oriented to generate a forward traction of the lid 3 in the process of the intermediate male elements 52c engaging in the intermediate sliders 51c.

[0192] The closure of the lid 3, more generally the closure of the closure device, causes the transversal rib to be inserted and slide into the flared inlet 50c of the notch and thus to forwardly traction the lid 3 so that the rib reaches the height of the bottom of the notch along the upper edge 231 of the side panel 23.

[0193] Thanks to the guide means 5, the lid 3 is guided and pulled until it assumes the correct closed position, in particular with respect to the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21.

[0194] During closing, the two guide arms 53 are initially spread apart and bring each main male element 52a into the inlet 50a of each main slider 51a.

[0195] The progress of the closing of the lid 3 causes the lid 3 to be guided by the pair of main guide elements.

[0196] At the end of the closing of the lid 3, the pair of intermediate guide elements and the pair of terminal guide elements simultaneously or sequentially start to act.

[0197] The last two pairs of guide elements, in combination with the pair of main guide elements, make it possible to ensure that the lid 3 assumes the correct position with respect to the side panel 23, more particularly with respect to the front panel 21.

[0198] In particular, these pairs of guide elements force the lid 3 to be displaced forwards so that its front edge 21 abuts against the upper edge 211 of the front panel 21 and so that the locking means 4 can establish the locking of the package 1.

Claims

1. A package (1) comprising: - a bottom (20); - panels (21, 22, 23) comprising a front panel (21), a rear panel (22) and two side panels (23) pivotally mounted on the bottom (20); - a closing device comprising a lid (3) pivotally mounted on the rear panel (22) via a rear pivotal connection (320); the package (1) being foldable between: - a use configuration, in which at least the bottom (20), the front panel (21) and the side panels (23) form a housing (2) defining a loading space, and in which the closing device can close the loading space; - a flat configuration, in which the panels (21, 22, 23) and the lid (3) extend substantially parallel to the bottom (20); the package (1) further comprising a locking device (4) for locking the lid (3) in a closed position of the loading space in the use configuration of the package (1), the locking device (4) establishing a mechanical connection between an upper edge (211) of the front panel (21) and a front edge (31) of the lid (3) in a locked configuration, characterized in that the package (1) comprises a guiding device (5) for guiding the lid (3) to its closed position, the guiding device (5) being distinct from the rear pivotal connection (320), the guiding device (5) being designed to force the front edge (31) of the lid (3) to displace against the upper edge (211) of the front panel (21) when the lid (3) approaches its closed position, and the guiding device (5) comprising at least one pair of guiding elements comprising: - a guiding slide (51) having a flared inlet; - a convex guiding element (52) for being inserted and sliding into the guiding slide (51) when the lid (3) approaches its closed position, and the guiding device (5) comprising two deployable guiding arms (53) each extending between a first end (531) and a second end (532), each guiding arm (53) being movably connected in rotation by its first end (531) to the lid (3) at a level of a connection point (5310) located in the immediate vicinity of the front edge (31) and of a side edge (33) of the lid (3), and the guiding device (5) comprising a main pair of guiding elements for each guiding arm (53), each main pair of guiding elements comprising: - a main slide (51a) extending on an inner surface of the side panel (23) in the immediate vicinity of the guiding arm (53); - a main male element (52a) located at the second end (532) of the guide arm (53), and wherein the guide device (5) comprises at least three pairs of distinct guide elements, including a main pair of guide elements, a terminal pair of guide elements located in front of the main pair of guide elements, and an intermediate pair of guide elements located behind the main pair of guide elements.

2. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Each guide arm (53) forms part of a deformable parallelogram connected to the rear panel (22).

3. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide device (5) comprises two pairs of terminal guide elements, each pair of terminal guide elements comprising: - a terminal slider (51b) extending on an inner surface of one of the side panels (23) next to the upper edge (211) of the front panel (21) and the front edge (31) of the lid (3) in the use configuration of the package (1) with the lid (3) in its closed position; - a male terminal element (52b) connected to the lid (3) by being located next to the front edge (31) of the lid (3).

4. The package (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that Each male terminal element (52b) is carried by the first end (531) of one of the guide arms (53).

5. The package (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that Each male terminal element (52b) is provided with a corrector designed to prevent the male terminal element (52b) from being inserted into the main slider (51a).

6. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide device (5) comprises two pairs of intermediate guide elements, each pair of intermediate guide elements comprising: - an intermediate slider (51c); - an intermediate male element (52c), The intermediate slider (51c) and the intermediate male element (52c) are respectively located along a central portion of a side edge (33) of the lid (3) and along a central portion of an upper edge (231) of a side panel (23), or vice versa.

7. The package (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that For each pair of intermediate guide elements, the package (1) comprises: - a longitudinal tab (61) having a notch (610) forming the intermediate slider (51c); - a longitudinal groove (62) having a transverse rib forming the intermediate male element (52c), In the closed position of the lid (3), the longitudinal tab (61) is inserted into the longitudinal groove (62).

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