Stackable folding box, in particular a sales tray

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding box, in particular a sales tray, which is open at the top and in which an opening for removing goods is provided in one side wall (17, 18), extending from the upper open end of the folding box. The folding box has a base (11) and side walls (12; 13; 14, 15; 17, 18), which are separated from each other by folding creases (14', 15'; 17', 18') extending from the base (11) to the upper open end of the folding box. In order for this folding box to be stackable, the invention provides that the folding grooves (14', 15'; 17', 18') are forked in the area of ​​the upper open end, so that an approximately flat area (14a, 15a; 17a, 18a) is present between adjacent side walls, so that when folding boxes are stacked, the folding box stacked above cannot slip into the folding box below, because these flat areas cut off the corners diagonally and the upper folding box rests on these "diagonals".

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stackable folding box made of corrugated cardboard with a base and side walls which are separated from each other by folding creases extending from the base to the upper open end of the folding box. State of the art

[0002] Supermarkets often use so-called display trays, which significantly reduces the effort required for restocking. The goods, such as snacks, are stored in open-topped folding boxes, which have an opening in one side for easy access. Customers can therefore take the goods directly from the box. There is no longer any need to place individual items on a shelf; it is sufficient to simply set up the boxes.

[0003] Usually, several folding boxes are stacked on top of each other to minimize the need for additional boxes. With today's standard designs, a lid is necessary to allow the boxes to be stacked securely. Otherwise, a stacked box would push the one below it apart, slide inside, and damage the contents. The side wall with the opening for removing items is particularly vulnerable in this regard. Therefore, such stacks are not stable without a lid.

[0004] However, a lid has several disadvantages. Firstly, it naturally increases the manufacturing effort (material requirements, costs), and secondly, it has to be removed (usually by customers) in the supermarket, where it is rarely disposed of properly but usually simply thrown on the ground.

[0005] Numerous proposals have already been made for making open-top boxes stackable even without lids. One example among many is DE 202010002221U. All these solutions have in common that they require additional materials, be it more corrugated cardboard or material for additional components, such as corner reinforcements. According to the aforementioned document, the long side walls are constructed of two, if not three, layers. In two embodiments, the inner layer features corner walls that form hollow corner supports or posts at diagonal angles. This diagonal arrangement prevents a stacked box from sliding into the box below. Brief description of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to achieve a similar solution without additional material expenditure.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a folding box of the type mentioned above in that the folding creases in the area of ​​the upper open end are forked, so that there is an approximately flat area between adjacent side walls, so that when folding boxes are stacked, the folding box stacked above cannot slip into the folding box below. Brief description of the drawing figures

[0008] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a blank for a folding box according to the invention; and Fig. 2 the folding box erected from this blank. Description of the execution types

[0009] The blank has a base section 11, to which – separated by folding grooves 12' and 13' – longitudinal side walls 12 and 13 are attached. To these longitudinal side walls 12 and 13, respectively, tabs 14 and 15 and 17 and 18, respectively, are attached – separated by folding grooves 14' and 15' and 17' and 18', respectively – which together form one broad side wall. Furthermore, tabs 16 and 19 are attached to the base section 11 – separated by folding grooves 16' and 19', respectively – which, after erection, are glued to the tabs 14 and 15 and 17 and 18, respectively, thereby stabilizing the longitudinal side walls 12 and 13 and the broad side walls in the erected position.

[0010] As can be seen from the drawings, tabs 17 and 18 are narrower than tabs 14 and 15, so that in the broad side wall formed by tabs 17 and 18 there is an opening in the middle (see Fig. 2 ) is formed, extending to tab 19. This design corresponds to current standard sales trays.

[0011] According to the invention, the folding grooves 14', 15', 17' and 18' each fork into two folding grooves 14", 14‴; 15", 15‴; 17", 17‴ and 18", 18‴, specifically in the region of the upper end of these folding grooves 14', 15', 17' and 18'. This creates triangular areas 14a, 15a, 17a and 18a which, after unfolding, diagonally "cut off" the edges 14', 15', 17' and 18' (see Fig. 2 ). Thus, a folding box stacked on top cannot slip into the folding box below it because it rests on these "diagonals".

[0012] Since a diagonal is known to be shorter than the two sides it connects, the longitudinal side walls 12 and 13 are slightly bent outwards at the top in this area, thus becoming slightly convex inwards. This prevents the otherwise common outward curvature (i.e., concave inwards, a bulge). Areas 14a, 15a, 17a, and 18a therefore also provide additional stabilization for the folding box.

[0013] To achieve the same load-bearing capacity as a folding box with a lid, a slightly more stable corrugated cardboard is still necessary, but the cost difference between these corrugated cardboards is less than the cost of an additional lid.

Claims

1. Stackable, open-top folding box made of corrugated board with a base (11) and side walls (12; 13; 14, 15; 17, 18) separated from each other by folding creases (14', 15'; 17', 18') extending from the base (11) to the top open end of the folding box, characterized by the fact that the folding grooves (14', 15'; 17', 18') are forked in the area of ​​the upper open end, so that there is an approximately flat area (14a, 15a; 17a, 18a) between adjacent side walls, so that in the case of stacked folding boxes the folding box stacked above cannot slip into the folding box below.

2. Stackable folding box according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that The folding box is designed as a sales tray, meaning that an opening for removing goods is provided in a side wall (17, 18), which starts from the upper open end of the folding box.

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