Stackable box suitable for packaging and transporting food products
The stackable box design with engageable tabs and slots addresses instability and waste issues in pizza box stacking, ensuring stability and reduced material use.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023010299
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2033-09-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing pizza boxes are unstable when stacked, leading to potential spoilage and waste due to their design and material, particularly during transport.
A stackable box design featuring longitudinal flaps and slots with engageable tabs that allow boxes to be securely stacked, using minimal cardboard and ensuring stability.
The design enables stable stacking of boxes, reducing the risk of spoilage and minimizing cardboard usage.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Stackable box suitable for the packaging and transport of foodstuffs Field of invention
[0001] The present patent application relates to the field of stackable boxes suitable for the packaging and transport of foodstuffs, and more particularly to the field of stackable cardboard boxes for the packaging and transport of pizzas.
[0002] The present invention will find advantageous applications in a non-exclusive manner in the field of catering and food delivery. State of the art
[0003] Pizzas and other takeaway foods are typically packaged and sold in containers, called pizza boxes, that have a bottom and an opening lid.
[0004] Pizza boxes are generally formed by folding a cardboard sheet that has fold lines at the appropriate locations so that the sheet can be folded to form a box.
[0005] Such a pizza box comprises a square bottom, four walls which extend upright from the bottom and a lid which is hingedly mounted on an upper edge of one of the walls.
[0006] Each wall can be formed from two flaps which are folded against each other along a fold line provided for this purpose.
[0007] Typically, the lid includes flanks extending from three edges of a cover panel, other than the rear edge with the hinge connection, such that the lid is pivotally mounted about its hinge between a closed position in which the lid closes a rectangular space within the box, and an open position which allows access to the contents of the box.
[0008] However, the known solutions have certain drawbacks.
[0009] Indeed, the boxes according to the prior art are very often arranged in a stacked or superimposed manner, one on top of the other to form a tower, with the aim of optimizing the size of the assembly formed by the boxes.
[0010] When boxes are stacked to form a tower, they may slide against each other, making the tower unstable and possibly causing one or more boxes to fall and spoiling the contents of the fallen boxes.
[0011] This disadvantage is particularly present when the boxes are transported for delivery, whether on foot or by means of a vehicle.
[0012] The design of such boxes, most often made of cardboard, represents by elsewhere a real waste in terms of cardboard. Statement of the invention
[0013] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems mentioned above, by eliminating the disadvantages of the cited prior art, by providing a box designed to be stacked with other boxes according to the invention in order to form a stable stack and preferably with a minimum of cardboard.
[0014] This objective, as well as others which will become apparent upon reading the following description, is achieved with a stackable box suitable for packaging and transporting foodstuffs, which comprises at least one bottom and a first longitudinal side wall which extends perpendicularly from said bottom, characterized in that the first side wall comprises at least: • a first flap which is connected to the bottom of the box by a first longitudinal fold line and a second flap which is connected to the first flap by a second opposite longitudinal fold line, said first flap being folded along said first fold line to form a right angle with the bottom of the box and said second flap being folded against said first flap along the second fold line, • a first lower slot which extends longitudinally along the first folding line, • a second upper slot which extends longitudinally along the second folding line, and • a tab extending from a longitudinal free end edge of the second flap, and adapted to be engaged through the first lower slot in a removably manner, projecting relative to the bottom of the box, said tab being adapted to be engaged in a second upper slot of another stackable box arranged directly below said stackable box.
[0015] According to other optional characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination:
[0016] - the first flap and the second flap are made in one piece with the bottom of the box ;
[0017] - the first slot and the second slot are arranged so as to be superimposed;
[0018] - the second flap is folded against the associated first flap of the first side wall towards the inside of the box;
[0019] - the tab is designed to be folded down against the bottom of the box, to promote the base of said box;
[0020] - the box is designed to be shaped by folding a plate along a plurality of fold lines;
[0021] - the box is made of cardboard;
[0022] - the box has a symmetrical design along a sagittal median plane and lon horizontal, such that the box comprises a second side wall which is identical to the first side wall;
[0023] - the box has a parallelepiped shape delimited by the bottom, the first side wall, the second side wall, a third front wall and a fourth rear wall, and the box is equipped with a hinged lid which is integral with one of said walls;
[0024] - the box has a parallelepiped shape delimited by the bottom, the first side wall, the second side wall, a third front wall and a fourth rear wall, and the box is equipped with an independent cover which is capable of covering said box. Brief description of the drawings
[0025] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
[0026] [Fig-1] is a three-quarter perspective view from above which illustrates the box in its parallelepiped shape with the lid open, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0027] [Fig.2] is a three-quarter perspective view from below illustrating the box of [Fig.l] and its two tabs projecting beyond the bottom of the box;
[0028] [Fig.3] is a top view of the box in the form of a plate equipped with folding lines, before the box is shaped into a parallelepiped;
[0029] [Fig.4] is an exploded three-quarter top view of a plurality of boxes, according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0030] [Fig.5] is a three-quarter top view similar to the view of [Fig.4], which illustrates the boxes of [Fig.4] in a stacked position;
[0031] [Fig.6] is an exploded three-quarter top view of a plurality of boxes, according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0032] [Fig.7] is a three-quarter top view similar to the view of [Fig.6], which illustrates the boxes of [Fig.6] in a stacked position;
[0033] In the description and the claims, the terminology longitudinal, vertical and transverse will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures.
[0034] Also, the expressions “upper” and “lower” will be used without limitation in reference to the upper part and the lower part respectively of [Fig.l].
[0035] Throughout these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs. Detailed description
[0036] Figures 1 and 2 show a stackable box 10 suitable for packaging and transporting foodstuffs, and more particularly for packaging a pizza (not shown).
[0037] The box 10 is designed to be formed into a parallelepiped shape, i.e. into a box shape, by folding along a plurality of folding lines, from a plate 11 illustrated in [Fig. 3] in a flat and unfolded configuration.
[0038] It will be understood here that the box 10 according to the present invention can thus have a square or rectangular shape in top view. The box can also have a hexagonal or even octagonal shape.
[0039] In this example, the plate 11 is made from a single piece of food cardboard.
[0040] The box 10 has a parallelepiped shape delimited by a bottom 12 glo square base which extends in a transverse and longitudinal plane and which is suitable for supporting a pizza or other foodstuff.
[0041] Also, the box 10 is delimited by a peripheral enclosure which comprises a first side wall 14a, a second side wall 14b, a third front wall 16 and a fourth rear wall 17.
[0042] Each wall 14a, 14b, 16, 17 extends vertically and orthogonally from the peripheral periphery of the bottom 12.
[0043] Also, the first side wall 14a and the second side wall 14b extend longitudinally opposite each other.
[0044] Similarly, the third front wall 16 and the fourth rear wall 17 extend transversely opposite each other.
[0045] It will be noted that the box 10 has a symmetrical design along a sagittal and longitudinal median plane P, illustrated in [Fig.3].
[0046] Therefore, the first side wall 14a and the second side wall 14b are identical and only the first side wall 14a will be described in detail hereinafter.
[0047] It will be noted that in [Fig. 3], a different embodiment is provided for the third and fourth side walls 16 and 17, but that it is also possible to provide an embodiment (not illustrated here) in which the four walls are of identical design.
[0048] For the sake of clarity, the symmetrical elements along the plane P of symmetry are identified by identical numerical references and are distinguished by the letters “a” and “b”.
[0049] With reference to [Fig.3], the first side wall 14a successively comprises a first flap 18a which is connected to the bottom 12 of the box 10 by a first longitudinal fold line 20a, and a second flap 22a which is connected to the first flap 18a by a second opposite fold line 24a.
[0050] The term “folding line” means a segment which is mechanically weakened and which aims to promote and guide the folding of the cardboard plate 11 to give it its box shape.
[0051] The second flap 22a extends transversely from the second fold line 24a to a longitudinal free end edge 26a.
[0052] In this example, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the first flap 18a is folded along the first fold line 20a to form a right angle with the bottom 12 of the box 10, so that the first flap 18a faces the outside of the box 10, and the second flap 22a is folded against the first flap 18a along the second fold line 24a, the second flap 22a thus facing the inside of the box 10.
[0053] It will be noted that the first flap 18a and the second flap 22a are made in one piece with the bottom 12 of the box 10.
[0054] Furthermore, the first side wall 14a delimits a first lower slot 28a which extends longitudinally along the first folding rod 20a.
[0055] In addition, the first side wall 14a delimits a second upper slot 30a which extends longitudinally along the second folding rod 24a.
[0056] In this example, the first slot 28a and the second slot 30a are arranged superimposed, in the center of the first side wall 14a.
[0057] Also, the first side wall 14a is equipped with a tab 32a which extends from the free end edge 26a of the second flap 22a.
[0058] The tab 32a is designed to be engaged through the first slot 28a in a releasable manner, in an anchoring position illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, in which the tab 32a projects vertically relative to the bottom 12 of the box 10.
[0059] For this purpose, the second flap 22a is folded towards the first flap 18a while folding the tab 32a at its base temporarily and elastically to engage it through the first slot 28a.
[0060] Advantageously, the tongue 32a of the first side wall 14a has a generally trapezoidal shape to facilitate its insertion through the associated first slot 28a.
[0061] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the tab 32a is designed to be engaged in a second upper slot 130a of another box 100 which is in accordance with the invention and which is arranged directly below the box 10 previously described.
[0062] This feature makes it possible to anchor the box 10 on the other box 100 arranged directly below.
[0063] Also, to facilitate the seating of the box 10 on a flat surface, the tab 32a can be folded against the bottom 12 of the box 10.
[0064] Indeed, the tab 32a, which is made of cardboard, has mechanical properties which allow the tab 32a to be folded.
[0065] By symmetry along the plane P, the second side wall 14b successively comprises a first flap 18b which is connected to the bottom 12 of the box 10 by a first longitudinal fold line 20b, and a second flap 22b which is connected to the first flap 18b by a second opposite fold line 24b.
[0066] The second flap 22b extends transversely from the second fold line 24b to a longitudinal free end edge 26b.
[0067] Furthermore, the second side wall 14b delimits a first lower slot 28b which extends longitudinally along the associated first folding rod 20b.
[0068] The second side wall 14b delimits a second upper slot 30b which extends longitudinally along the associated second folding rod 24b.
[0069] Also, the second side wall 14b is equipped with a tab 32b which extends projectingly from the free end edge 26b of the second flap 22b.
[0070] Like the tab 32a of the first side wall 14a, the tab 32b of the second side wall 14b is designed to be engaged in a second upper slot (not visible) of the other box 100 which is arranged directly below the box 10 previously described.
[0071] Thus, when the tabs 32a, 32b of the first side wall 14a and of the second side wall 14b of the box 10 are housed respectively in the first side wall 140a and the second side wall (not shown) of the other box 100, the two boxes 10, 100 are blocked together longitudinally and transversely.
[0072] This feature allows a plurality of boxes to be stacked as illustrated in [Fig.5], to form a stable and orderly tower.
[0073] With reference to [Fig. 3], the third front wall 16 comprises a flap 34 which is connected to the bottom 12 of the box 10 by a transverse fold line 36, and which has a free end edge 38 opposite the fold line 36.
[0074] Additionally, the front wall 16 includes a first locking tab 40a and a second locking tab 40b that extend respectively from a first transverse end and an opposite second transverse end of the flap 34.
[0075] The first locking tab 40a and the second locking tab 40b are pivotally mounted, respectively along a first longitudinal folding line 42a and a second longitudinal folding line 42b.
[0076] The first locking tab 40a is intended to be interposed between the first flap 18a and the second flap 22a of the first side wall 14a, to lock the front wall 16 on the first side wall 14a, when the cardboard plate 11 adopts its box shape as illustrated in [Fig.l].
[0077] For this purpose, the first locking tab 40a is folded at a right angle relative to the flap 34, along the associated first folding line 42a.
[0078] Similarly, by symmetry, the second locking tab 40b is intended to be interposed between the first flap 18b and the second flap 22b of the second side wall 14b, to lock the front wall 16 on the second side wall 14b, when the cardboard plate 11 adopts its box shape as illustrated in [Fig.l].
[0079] Still according to [Fig.3], the fourth rear wall 17 of the box 10 comprises a flap 44 which is connected to the bottom 12 of the box 10 by a transverse folding line 46.
[0080] The fourth rear wall 17 is identical to the third wall 16 previously described.
[0081] In the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the first and second side walls have a different design from the front and rear walls. However, as previously described, it is also possible to provide a similar design for the four walls with a double thickness achieved by folding along a fold line as illustrated in [Fig. 3].
[0082] In this example and as illustrated in [Fig.3], the fourth rear wall 17 comprises a first locking tab 50a and a second locking tab 50b which extend respectively from a first transverse end and an opposite second transverse end of the associated flap 44.
[0083] The first locking tab 50a and the second locking tab 50b are pivotally mounted along a first longitudinal fold line 52a and a second longitudinal fold line 52b respectively.
[0084] The first locking tab 50a is intended to be interposed between the first flap 18a and the second flap 22a of the first side wall 14a, to lock the rear wall 17 on the first side wall 14a, when the cardboard plate 11 adopts its box shape as illustrated in [Fig.l].
[0085] Similarly, by symmetry, the second locking tab 50b is intended to be interposed between the first flap 18b and the second flap 22b of the second side wall 14b, to lock the rear wall 17 on the second side wall 14b, when the cardboard plate 11 adopts its box shape as illustrated in [Fig.l].
[0086] According to a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the box 10 is equipped with a hinged cover 54, which is mounted hinged between an open position illustrated in [Fig.1] and a closed position illustrated in [Fig.4].
[0087] The cover 54 comprises a central panel 56 which is delimited by a transverse fold line 57 which forms a hinge and which is connected to the rear wall 17.
[0088] Also, the panel 56 has a second transverse fold line 60 connected on a first flank 62, a third longitudinal fold line 64a connected on a second flank 66a and a fourth longitudinal fold line 64b connected on a third flank 66b.
[0089] The first flank 62 is equipped with a first lug 68a and a second lug 68b which are arranged respectively at a first transverse end and at a second transverse end of the first flank 62.
[0090] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the first flank 62, the second flank 66a and the third flank 66b are intended to be folded down at right angles towards the panel 56, each around their associated fold line, to allow the closure of the cover 54.
[0091] According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the box 10 is equipped with an independent cover 70, that is to say which is separate from the box 10 previously described, and which is capable of covering the box 10.
[0092] For this purpose, the independent cover 70 has a parallelepiped shape which is complementary to the shape of the box 10 and which comprises a central panel 72 and a peripheral enclosure which extends perpendicularly from the associated panel 72.
[0093] The peripheral enclosure of the cover 70 comprises a first transverse front flank 74, a second opposite transverse rear flank (not visible), a third longitudinal flank 76a and a fourth longitudinal flank (not visible).
[0094] According to this second embodiment, a set of boxes can be superimposed vertically and stacked on top of each other as described previously, the cover 70 being provided to cover the box 10 which is arranged at the top of the stack thus formed, as illustrated in [Fig.7].
[0095] This feature makes it possible to limit the number of lids to one per stack of boxes, regardless of the number of boxes stacked, which saves cardboard.
[0096] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
Claims
1. Stackable box (10) suitable for packaging and transporting foodstuffs, which comprises at least one bottom (12) and a first longitudinal side wall (14a) which extends perpendicularly from said bottom (12), characterized in that the first side wall (14a) comprises at least: • a first flap (18a) which is connected to the bottom (12) of the box (10) by a first longitudinal fold line (20a) and a second flap (22a) which is connected to the first flap (18a) by a second opposite longitudinal fold line (24a), said first flap (18a) being folded along said first fold line (20a) to form a right angle with the bottom (12) of the box (10) and said second flap (22a) being folded against said first flap (18a) along the second fold line (24a), • a first lower slot (28a) which extends longitudinally following the first folding line (20a),• a second upper slot (30a) which extends longitudinally along the second folding line (24a), and • a tab (32a) which extends from a longitudinal free end edge (26a) of the second flap (22a), and which is designed to be engaged through the first lower slot (28a) in a removably manner, projecting relative to the bottom (12) of the box (10), said tab (32a) being designed to be engaged in a second upper slot (130a) of another stackable box (100) arranged directly below said stackable box (10).,
2. Stackable box (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first flap (18a) and the second flap (22a) are made integrally with the bottom (12) of the box (10).
3. Stackable box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first slot (28a) and the second slot (30a) are arranged so as to be superimposed.
4. Stackable box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second flap (22a) is folded against the associated first flap (18a) of the first side wall (14a) towards inside the box (10).
5. Stackable box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (32a) is designed to be folded against the bottom (12) of the box (10), to promote the seating of said box (10).
6. Stackable box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to be shaped by folding a single-piece plate (11), along a plurality of folding lines.
7. Stackable box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of cardboard.
8. Stackable box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a symmetrical design along a sagittal and longitudinal median plane (P), so that the box (10) comprises a second side wall (14b) which is identical to the first side wall (14a).
9. Stackable box (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a parallelepiped shape delimited by the bottom (12), the first side wall (14a), the second side wall (14b), a third front wall (16) and a fourth rear wall (17), and in that it is equipped with a hinged cover (54) which is integral with one of said walls.
10. Stackable box (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a parallelepiped shape delimited by the bottom (12), the first side wall (14a), the second side wall (14b), a third front wall (16) and a fourth rear wall (17), and in that it is equipped with an independent cover (70) which is capable of covering said box (10).