Three-dimensional structure, blank for making same and tab connection of the structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-dimensional structure, in particular packaging, made of paper, cardboard, or plastic, with at least one flap connection for fixing a flap carrier (4), which is at least partially flat, to a contact surface (7). The flap carrier (4) has at least one flap (8) extending in the plane of the flap carrier (4), in particular a projecting flap, which, in the fixing position, penetrates a recess in the contact surface (7). As the bending line (11) passes through the recess, the edge region abuts an end face (14) of the flap (8) as a result of the pivoting movement (10) of the contact section (12) about the bending line (11), thereby elastically deforming the edge region out of the plane of the contact section (12) and opening the passage for the flap (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a three-dimensional structure, in particular a packaging, made of paper, cardboard or plastic, with at least one tab connection for fixing an at least partially flat tab carrier to a contact surface in a plane-parallel fixing position, wherein the tab carrier has at least one tab extending in the plane of the tab carrier, in particular projecting, which penetrates a recess in the contact surface in the fixing position, wherein the contact surface has a contact section that can be pivoted or bent about a bending line formed in the paper, the cardboard or the plastic, in particular embossed, for example designed as a crease. The invention further relates to a blank for producing the three-dimensional structure and to a tab connection.

[0002] When manufacturing three-dimensional structures from a flat blank, it is already widely known to fix different surface sections using a so-called plug-in tab, in which the tab engages in a recess and is thus at least secured against transverse displacement. Displacement opposite to the joining direction is prevented by an additional securing or counter tab.

[0003] In a cardboard transport aid according to DE 20 2017 100 554 U1, a protrusion on the edge is formed by several angled portions connected by creasing lines. The edge area of ​​the outer angled portion has a tab that engages a slot in the angled portion.

[0004] DE 20 2018 005 756 U1 describes a foldable automatic carton in which bottom wall flaps are connected by plug-in flaps that are inserted into matching plug-in flap slots.

[0005] From DE 20 2017 104 977 U1 a carton and a blank are known which comprises several side surfaces which are connected to each other via creasing lines, while a bottom flap is connected to a tuck-in flap via a creasing line.

[0006] A folding carton according to DE 10 2018 118 248 A1 has a pivoting stabilizing flap on the underside of the carton's front wall. The carton's bottom has a pocket to secure the carton in the unfolded state.

[0007] DE 20 2021 106 091 U1 describes a cardboard box with side walls, wherein an outwardly projecting tab can be inserted into a slot in an opposite side wall.

[0008] From EP 1 466 845 A1, a sleeve made of paper or cardboard with longitudinal flaps that can be folded inwards is known, wherein a closure section has a plug-in flap that can be inserted into a slot.

[0009] EP 3 222 544 A1 relates to a cardboard folding box in which a base tray and a lid tray are pivotally connected to each other via a fold line. A tuck-in flap protrudes from the upper edge of a base side wall and has a first locking element with a cutout in a lid side wall and at least one second locking element.

[0010] CN 1 05 813 944 B already describes a paper product that forms a tray-shaped container when in use. A locking receiving section receives a locking lug of a locking section. Between a bottom surface and a side surface, a receiving section protrudes into the interior of the container in the area of ​​a fold line. When folded, the locking lug strikes this locking receiving section with its front end to form an undercut.

[0011] A disadvantage of the state of the art is that the use of tab connections, in particular plug-in tab connections, cannot guarantee reliable fixing without additional securing, for example in the form of a counter or securing tab.

[0012] The invention is based on the object of creating a plug-in tab connection that is reliable even under load of the three-dimensional structure without additional securing.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of creating a blank and such a plug-in tab connection.

[0014] The first-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention with a three-dimensional structure made of paper, cardboard, or plastic according to the features of claim 1. The further embodiment of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0015] According to the invention, a three-dimensional structure is therefore provided in which the bending line runs through the recess and at least one edge region of the recess extending into the recess and formed in the contact section is designed to be elastically deformable against a restoring force, so that as a result of a pivoting movement of the contact section about the bending line, the edge region can be placed against or abuts an end face of the tab and the edge region can be elastically deformed and deflected out of the plane of the contact section by means of the end face of the tab forming an abutment by several millimeters, in particular between 1 mm and 5 mm or between 2 mm and 3 mm, during continued pivoting movement and in that the tab penetrates the recess in the elastically deformed position of the edge region deflected out of the plane of the contact section and forms an undercut with the contact section.

[0016] The invention is based on the surprisingly simple discovery that the additional securing of the tab, which is designed as a simple plug-in tab and, according to the state of the art, can be released from the recess against the joining direction without further securing, is unnecessary if the tab forms a self-locking undercut with the edge region in the recess. In order to achieve the undercutting fixing position, only a simple pivoting movement of the contact section is required. As the pivot axis of the contact section is determined by the straight bending line that runs through the recess, the edge region strikes the end face of the tab during the pivoting movement. As the forces acting in this case have a significant force component in a direction orthogonal orActing perpendicular to the face of the plate and thus in the direction of the main extension of the plate and plate support, the comparatively high deformation resistance of the plate and plate support causes the edge area of ​​the recess to deform, while the plate itself is not subject to any significant deformation or deflection. This deformation creates sufficient clearance for the plate to pass through, which is blocked in the undeformed state of the edge area, so that the plate reaches the back of the contact surface and forms an undercut.

[0017] According to the invention, the tab does not detach from the recess when the contact section pivots in the opposite direction. Rather, the different relative orientation of the tab with respect to the edge region of the recess in the fixing position compared to the initial position before fixing means that no corresponding deformation force acts on the edge region. The tab cannot therefore detach from the recess without the application of additional external force. Thus, although the tab connection remains detachable and only requires pivoting of the contact section to establish the fixing position, additional manual intervention is required when releasing the tab from the fixing position by a reverse pivoting movement in order to deform the edge region and, if necessary, also the tab, so that the tab connection is not accidentally released.A counter-flap known from the prior art for securing the flap is therefore unnecessary. Furthermore, the flap connection according to the invention proves to be particularly easy to handle in use because the flap connection is created by folding or bending the contact section and requires no special intervention. The flap support and the contact surface can be any surface, in particular wall surfaces, base surfaces, or lid surfaces of a three-dimensional structure, for example, a cardboard box.

[0018] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the structure according to the invention is achieved in that each tab support has several tabs arranged in the same plane, which can preferably have identical dimensions. This significantly improves the fixation, in particular the load-bearing capacity of the resulting tab connection. Since the bending line runs through all the recesses assigned to the various tabs, these are simultaneously fixed by the undercut in the recess, thus eliminating the need for additional effort in fixing the tab connection.

[0019] A particularly useful embodiment of the present invention is also achieved in that the tab carrier is formed by a flat angling of a first wall surface and the contact surface is formed by a flat second wall surface of the three-dimensional structure, wherein the first and the second wall surface enclose an acute angle, in particular a right angle, in the use position. By connecting different wall surfaces by the tab connection, even complex three-dimensional structures, in particular packaging made of cardboard or paper, can be produced in a very short time without the need for an additional adhesive connection. The three-dimensional structure is thus created by successively bending or folding over several contact sections along the respective bending line, wherein the tab connection according to the invention is created more or less automatically without any additional intervention.Thus, after the three-dimensional structure has been constructed, additional fixation is no longer required, which applies to both open and closed three-dimensional structures, or those that can be closed with a lid. For the purposes of the present invention, a wall surface is understood to mean any outer or inner surface or surface section, including insert or separating surfaces, which can, for example, form wall, base, or lid surfaces in the resulting structure.

[0020] A particularly advantageous feature is that the tab connection can also be used for connecting wall surfaces of the three-dimensional structure that are not connected at right angles, opening up a wide range of design possibilities. For example, the three-dimensional structure can be designed as a bumper box with a central section and two cuboid or trapezoidal side sections oriented at an obtuse angle to the central section.

[0021] According to another particularly promising embodiment of the invention, the bending line is formed by a groove, in particular a double groove, which allows the pivoting movement to be determined structurally and prevents unwanted changes by the user that could lead to a defective connection. Furthermore, by designing the bending line as a double groove, the restoring force counteracting the pivoting movement can be further reduced, which is particularly advantageous for wall surfaces that require a pivoting movement of more than 90°.

[0022] The deformation of the edge area of ​​the recess in the tab connection can be favored by the selection of the material used. However, it is particularly advantageous if the edge area of ​​the recess extends in the direction of the contact surface between a base line and a lateral line at the maximum distance from the base line. The base line limits the maximum width, and the lateral line the minimum width of the recess. The resulting release of the edge area creates a further bending line, particularly along the base line, around which the edge area can deform elastically to form the desired undercut as a result of the restoring movement.

[0023] The bending line between the base line and the lateral line runs parallel to the base line, so that the base line and the lateral line are located on different sides of the bending line in the plane of the contact surface. Due to the pivoting movement defined in this way, the end face of the tab hits the edge area during the pivoting movement. The distance from the base line and the distance from the lateral line can be the same or different. The spacing ratios can be adjusted accordingly depending on the material selection and the geometric conditions, especially the size of the tab.

[0024] The edge area can, for example, be rectangular or prismatic in its basic shape. Particularly preferably, the edge area of ​​the recess is convex, in particular curved, and follows a continuous line between the base line and the lateral line in order to largely prevent possible damage, such as cracks. Of course, a combination of several basic geometric shapes or several different shapes combined in one tab is also feasible.

[0025] Since the contact section of the contact surface can be pivoted around the bending line by more than 90°, prismatic three-dimensional structures can also be created which enclose an acute angle in the interior, in particular of less than 60° or less than 45°, whereby, unlike in the prior art, adhesive connections can be dispensed with.

[0026] To reliably achieve the self-locking undercut of the tab in the recess, the invention utilizes a restoring force of the edge region. Preferably, the tab and / or the tab support are made of a rigid or flexible material, although the three-dimensional structure can also be made of different materials in different areas.

[0027] The second object, to create a blank for producing the three-dimensional structure, is achieved according to the invention in that the blank has at least one flat tab carrier and a contact surface for the plane-parallel contact of the tab carrier, wherein the tab carrier has at least one tab extending in the plane of the tab carrier, in particular a projecting tab, which in the fixing position passes through a recess of the contact surface, wherein the contact surface has a contact section bendable about a straight bending line formed, in particular embossed, in the blank, wherein the recess is delimited by an edge of the contact surface and at least one edge region of the recess is formed in the contact section of the tab or opposite the tab carrier,wherein the straight bending line runs through the recess and the edge region of the recess extending into the recess is designed to be elastically deformable against a restoring force.

[0028] This is the first time that a self-locking tab connection has been realized, as the blank already contains all the elements required to secure the three-dimensional structure in the assembled position, eliminating the need for additional securing elements such as adhesive connections. The recess is dimensioned such that, with respect to the relative angular position of the tab relative to the contact section during the pivoting movement around the bending line, it initially limits an insufficient passage for the tab. Only as a result of deformation against the restoring forces of the edge area can it penetrate the recess.This deformation occurs directly during the construction of the three-dimensional structure by unfolding the blank as a result of a bend along the bending line, whereby the front side of the tab and the edge area of ​​the recess, which lie in one plane in the lying position as a blank, meet, so that the deformation of the edge area occurs.

[0029] Furthermore, the object according to the invention is also achieved with a tab connection by means of which a flat tab carrier is fixed to a contact surface in a plane-parallel fixing position, wherein the tab carrier has at least one tab extending in the plane of the tab carrier, in particular a projecting tab, which in the fixing position passes through a recess in the contact surface, wherein the contact surface has a contact section which can be pivoted about a straight bending line which is formed, in particular embossed, into the three-dimensional structure, wherein the recess is delimited by an edge of the contact surface and at least one edge region of the recess is formed opposite one another in the contact section of the tab or the tab carrier.As the axis of the bending line runs through the recess and the edge region of the recess extending into the recess is designed to be elastically deformable against a restoring force, as a result of a pivoting movement of the contact section about the bending line, the edge region abuts against an end face of the tab and is thereby elastically deformed, so that the edge region is deflected during continued pivoting movement by means of the end face of the tab forming an abutment and the tab penetrates the recess in the deflected position and forms an undercut with the contact section.

[0030] The invention allows for various embodiments. To further clarify its basic principle, one of them is shown in the drawing and is described below using a perspective view. This shows in Fig. 1a flat blank made of cardboard; Fig. 2a blank made of the blank according toFigure 1 manufactured three-dimensional structure; Fig. 3 an enlarged view of an unlocked tab connection of the three-dimensional structure; Fig. 4 an enlarged view of the closed tab connection; Fig. 5 a detailed view of a recess of the tab connection.

[0031] A three-dimensional structure 1 according to the invention made of cardboard with at least one tab connection 2 is described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 5 explained in more detail. To get a Figure 1 shown flat cut 3 into the Figure 2In order to transfer the three-dimensional structure 1 shown and to fix it accordingly, a plurality of tab supports 4 are used, which are created by a right-angled bend of a first wall surface 5, which here serves as the base surface. By using the tab support 4 to connect this first wall surface 5 to a second wall surface 6, which serves as the contact surface 7, in a predetermined angular position, the desired spatial shape is defined by the resulting contact surface between the wall surfaces 5, 6 through the relative position and orientation of the wall surfaces 5, 6.

[0032] Unlike three-dimensional structures from the prior art, the wall surfaces 5, 6 in the area of ​​this contact surface 7 are not connected by an adhesive connection, but by two tabs 8 designed as plug-in tabs. The tabs 8 are designed as an edge-projecting extension in one piece with the tab carrier 4, so that the tab 8 and the tab carrier 4 lie in the same plane.

[0033] To ensure the plane-parallel fixing position of the tab carrier 4 on the contact surface 7, each tab 8 is inserted into a corresponding recess 9 of the contact surface 7 in order to penetrate it and prevent undesired displacement of the tab carrier 4 relative to the contact surface 7. It is obvious that simply inserting the tab 8 into a recess 9, regardless of the possible design, for example, in a slot shape, does not allow for a secure connection if no additional measure prevents a return movement counter to the joining movement of the tab 8. Counter tabs are often used for this purpose in the prior art.

[0034] According to the invention, such additional securing elements can be dispensed with in that the tab 8 is secured and blocked against a return movement by a pivoting movement 10 of a contact section 12 of the contact surface 7, which can pivot about a straight bending line 11. This effect, which is essential to the invention, is achieved in that the bending line 11 runs between the contact section 12 and the contact surface 7 through the recess 9. As a result, during the pivoting movement 10 of the contact section 12, the edge region 13 located in this contact section 12 is also pivoted about the bending line 11, resulting in a collision of this edge region 13 with an end face 14 of the respective tab 8. However, this does not block the further pivoting movement 10.Rather, the affected edge region 13 is elastically deformed against its material-dependent restoring force, while the tab 8 retains its original, flat shape unchanged. In particular, the load-bearing capacity of the tab 8 in the direction of its main extension, i.e., perpendicular to its end face 14, is far greater than the load-bearing capacity of the edge region 13, upon which the tab 8 acts at least approximately perpendicular to the main extension. The edge region 13 is thus deformed as a result of a continued pivoting movement 10 of the contact section 12 until the tab 8 slides along the deformed edge region 13, penetrates the recess 9, and finally assumes its final position on the rear side of the contact section 12.

[0035] The tab 8 can therefore only enter the recess 9 when the edge region 13 is in the elastically deformed position, where it forms the desired undercut with the contact section 12. At the same time, however, the deformed edge region 13 rests against the tab 8 due to its restoring force. The resulting clamping effect secures the tab 8 in a force-locking manner against any return movement of the tab 8 out of the recess 9. In this fixing position, the contact section 12 is preferably completely bent over and lies parallel to the contact surface 7, whereby the tab 8 is enclosed between the contact surface 7 and the contact section 12. The tab 8 is thus additionally protected against external forces. Surface contact between the tab 8 and the bent contact section 12 is not important for securing the fixing position, because this is already created by the clamping effect of the edge region 13.

[0036] The elastic deformation of the edge region 13 is essential for the securing function, and can be further improved by a suitable geometry of the edge region 13. For example, instead of a straight boundary line 15, the edge region 13 can have a convex boundary line 16, shown only in outline by dashed lines, so that the edge region 13 of the recess 9 extends between a base line 17 and a lateral line 18 at a maximum distance from the base line 17. The bending resistance is reduced by this exposure of the edge region 13. In this way, the holding force of the tab connection 2 can be optimally adapted to the respective intended use. A comparable effect can also be achieved, for example, by lateral incisions or groove-shaped recesses. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0037] 1Structure 2Tab connection 3Cutting 4Tab support 5Wall surface 6Wall surface 7Contact surface 8Tab 9Recess 10Pivoting movement 11Bending line 12System section 13Edge area 14End face 15Boundary line 16Boundary line 17Baseline 18Lateral line

Claims

1. A three-dimensional structure (1) made of paper, cardboard or plastic, with at least one tab connection (2) for fixing an at least partially flat tab carrier (4) to a contact surface (7) in a plane-parallel fixing position, wherein the tab carrier (4) has at least one tab (8) extending in the plane of the tab carrier (4) which, in the fixing position, penetrates a recess (9) of the contact surface (7), wherein the contact surface (7) has a contact section (12) which can be pivoted or bent about a straight bending line (11), characterized in thatthe bending line (11) runs through the recess (9) and at least one edge region (13) of the recess (9) formed in the contact section (12) is designed to be elastically deformable against a restoring force, so that as a result of a pivoting movement (10) of the contact section (12) about the bending line (11), the edge region (13) can be placed against an end face (14) of the tab (8) and the edge region (13) can be elastically deformed and deflected by means of the end face (14) of the tab (8) forming an abutment during continued pivoting movement (10), and that the tab (8) penetrates the recess (9) in the elastically deformed position of the edge region (13) and forms an undercut with the contact section (12).

2. Structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one tab (8) is enclosed in the fixing position between the contact section (12) and the contact surface (7).

3. Structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe tab carrier (4) is formed by an angling of a first wall surface (5) and the contact surface (7) is formed by a second wall surface (6) of the three-dimensional structure (1).

4. Structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first wall surface (5) and the second wall surface (6) enclose an acute angle, in particular a right angle, in the fixing position.

5. Structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending line (11) is formed by a groove, in particular a double groove.

6. Structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge region (13) of the recess (9) extends between a base line (17) and a lateral line (18) at a maximum distance from the base line (17).

7. Structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe bending line (11) runs between the base line (17) and the lateral line (18), in particular parallel to the base line (17).

8. Structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge region (13) of the recess (9) is convex, in particular curved.

9. Structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact section (12) of the contact surface (7) can pivot about the bending line (11) by more than 90°.

10. Tab connection (2) of a three-dimensional structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

11. Blank (3) for producing the three-dimensional structure (1) and / or a tab connection (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

Images