Superior tamper proof box and blank

Abstract

Blank 10 for forming a box. the blank 10 having a base panel P1 with two opposing side panels P2 connected the base panel along lines of weakness L1 & 2. Front panel P3 is also connected to the base p

Description

This invention relates to a blank for forming a box and to the box formed from the blank. The success of ecommerce has meant that an increasing number of products that are purchased over the Internet are sent to the purchaser in a box, usually made of cardboard, which is assembled from a blank. The blank will be provided with different score lines, fold lines, cuts and so on and the blank is assembled by folding the various panels of the blank to create the finished box, which is then used to house the goods being transported to the end user. Once the box has been filled, the box is usually sealed in some way to ensure that the contents of the box are not tampered with in any way. However, the box still needs to be relatively easy to open by the end user to whom the box is delivered. At present such boxes are often sealed with an adhesive and some kind of tear-off strip is provided, which the end user then operates to access the contents of the box. The main problem with existing boxes is that the use of adhesives and / or the provision of an opening structure such as a tear strip reduce the ability of the end box to be entirely recycled. This is not desirable as there is a significant push in commerce and wider society to provide packaging that can be completely recycled and is manufactured from a single material. Utilising adhesive to seal the box and a tear strip to open the box also increases the cost to produce the packaging. However, it is essential to provide a box that is tamper proof and secure, since if the contents of a box used for sending goods purchased over the Internet can be easily accessed, then there is a significant risk that some contents will be lost and / or stolen during the process from the original supplier to the end purchaser. GB 2578137 discloses a tamper proof box which does not require any adhesives or glues to assemble and use. However, the box disclosed in this document is not as flexible in respect to the different box shapes that can be used with the blank design disclosed in this document. It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the known art. According to the present invention, there is provided a blank for forming a box according to the attached claims. Owing to the invention, it is possible to provide a blank that can be formed into a box, which is secure, has a tamper proof closing system and can be formed from a single material such as cardboard without the requirement to use an adhesive or any additional opening structures such as a tear strip and can also be used in wide variety of different shapes. For example the blank can be so shaped that the box formed from the blank can be a long and thin rectangle such as used in boxes that are posted through letter boxes that contain goods such as flowers. Such boxes are elongate with a length that is usually at least three times longer than the width of the box. The provision of the slot on the front panel and the internal line of weakness on the top extension panel make the box easier and faster to assemble, as the top extension panel can be folded and guided into the slot on the front panel, which effectively locks the top panel to the front panel. A box formed from the blank is much more difficult to re-open once the box has been assembled, filled and closed, since it will be immediately obvious that the box has been tampered with. When the box is closed, the folded top extension panel is held in place in the slot on the front panel, making the box impossible to open without visible damage being present. The box formed from the blank has improved tamper resistance and improved tamper evidence. The top extension panel can be folded and when the box is being closed, this folded panel can be located through the slot in the front panel and the folded top extension panel will not be able to withdraw from the slot, since the top extension panel will tend to unfold after having passed through the slot, meaning that it cannot be withdrawn through the slot. This arrangement creates a form of secure lock together of the panels of the box and means that the contents of the box cannot be accessed without the box being damaged, thereby providing a tamper proof / tamper evident box. Preferably, the top panel includes an internal line of weakness parallel to the line of weakness connecting the top extension panel to the top panel, a hole lying on the internal line of weakness parallel to the line of weakness connecting the top extension panel to the top panel and two further internal lines of weakness connecting the respective opposite ends of the internal line of weakness parallel to the line of weakness connecting the top extension panel to the top panel, to an outer edge of the top panel. These components of the top panel together create a tamper-evident opening for the box that is formed from the blank. Once the box is assembled and closed such that the top extension panel is locked into the slot on the front panel the only way to open the box is to damage the structure. The additional lines of weakness and the hole on the top panel provide an arrangement that allows the end user to easily open the box, without having to use any additional tools such as a knife or scissors. The end user can place their finger in the hole and break away the part of the top panel that is defined by the additional internal lines of weakness on that panel. This allows the remaining part of the top panel to be opened. Ideally, the line of weakness connecting the top extension panel to the top panel is spaced back from an outer edge of the top panel. Preferably, the line of weakness connecting the top extension panel to the top panel is spaced back from an outer edge of the top panel by a distance equal to the spacing of the slot on the front panel from the internal line of weakness on the front panel. When a box is formed from the blank, the closing and locking of the box is achieved by the top extension panel being folded and located in the slot in the front panel. The top extension panel is connected to the top panel by a line weakness that is preferably spaced apart from the edge of the top panel. This means that the top extension panel folds in at a location that is spaced from the edge of the top panel and this makes it easier to close and lock the box. In the preferable arrangement, the slot in front panel is spaced apart by the same distance and this creates an effective tamper-evident seal on the box, without using any tape or glue. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of a blank for forming a box, Figures 3 to 8 show a series of perspective views of a box being formed from the blank of Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 9 and 10 show perspective views of the box being opened. Figure 1 shows a blank 10 for forming a cardboard box. The blank 10 is formed from a flat sheet of cardboard and is cut from the flat sheet. The blank 10 is also provided with numerous lines of weaknesses, which can take a number of different forms, such as crease lines, partial cuts, fold lines and the like (and combinations of the different types). A line of weakness generally has the function that it either facilitates a fold along the line of weakness or the line of weakness allows a break to be made along the line. For example, a line of weakness that is formed by a crease being imprinted will later allow a fold to be made along that line whereas a line of weakness that is formed by partial cuts will later allow a tear to be made along that line. Figure 1 is shown without labelling of the parts of the blank 10, for ease of understanding. The blank 10 is for forming into a box that can be used for example for the packaging of flowers into a box that can still be posted through a letterbox. Figure 2 shows the blank 10 of Figure 1, but with the relevant parts of the blank 10 labelled with the appropriate reference signs. The blank 10 comprises a base panel P1, two side panels P2 connected to respective first and second opposite sides of the base panel P1 along respective lines of weakness L1 and L2, a front panel P3 connected to a third side of the base panel P1 along a line of weakness L3 and including an internal line of weakness L4 parallel to the line of weakness L3 connecting the front panel P3 to the base panel P1 and a slot S1 located on the part of the front panel P3 from the internal line of weakness L4 to an outer edge E1 of the front panel P3 A back panel P4 is connected to a fourth side of the base panel P1 along a line of weakness L5, with a top panel P5 connected to the back panel P4 along a line of weakness L6 parallel to the line of weakness L5 connecting the back panel P4 to the base panel P1, and a top extension panel P6 is connected to the top panel P5 along a line of weakness L7 parallel to the line of weakness L6 connecting the top panel P5 to the back panel P4 and including an internal line of weakness L8 parallel to the line of weakness L7 connecting the top extension panel P6 to the top panel P5. The top panel P5 also includes an internal line of weakness L18 parallel to the line of weakness L7 connecting the top extension panel P6 to the top panel P5 and the top panel P5 includes a hole H1 lying on the internal line of weakness L18 parallel to the line of weakness L7 connecting the top extension panel P6 to the top panel P5. The top panel P5 includes two further internal lines of weakness L9 and L10 connecting the respective opposite ends of the internal line of weakness L18 (which is parallel to the line of weakness L7 connecting the top extension panel P6 to the top panel P5), to an outer edge E2 of the top panel P5. The line of weakness L7 connecting the top extension panel P6 to the top panel P5 is discontinuous and comprises two separate sections L7a and L7b. This line of weakness L7 connecting the top extension panel P6 to the top panel P5 is spaced back from an outer edge E2 of the top panel P5 by a distance equal to the spacing of the slot S1 on the front panel P3 from the internal line of weakness L4 on the front panel P3. The front panel P3 is provided with front extension panels P3a and the back panel P4 is provided with back extension panels P4a. The side panels P2 are provided with respective internal double lines of weakness L11 and L12 that are parallel to the lines of weakness L1 and L2 that separate the respective side panel P2 from the base panel P1. Each side panel P2 is also provided with a tab T1 that is located on the outer edge of each side panel P2. These tabs T1 align with holes H2 that are located on the lines of weakness L1 and L2 that separate the respective side panel P2 from the base panel P1. The top panel P5 is also provided with two top extension panels P5a. These features are used in the construction of a box from the blank 10, as explained below. Figures 3 to 8 show a box 12 being constructed from the blank 10. In Figure 3 the back panel P4 has been folded up relative to the base panel P1, along the line of weakness L5 that separates the base panel P1 from the back panel P4. At the same time, the front panel P3 has been folded up relative to the base panel P1, along the line of weakness L3 that separates the base panel P1 from the front panel P3. A single side panel P2 has been folded over along the double line of weakness L12, with the tabs T1 locking into the holes H2. As the side panel P2 is folded in half along the double line of weakness L12, respective extension panels P3a and P4a of the front panel P3 and the back panel P4 are trapped inside the folded side panel P2. Figure 3 shows the partially formed box 12 after only one side panel P2 has been folded over and Figure 4 shows the next stage of the process, when both side panels P2 have been folded over. The box 12 can now be filled with whatever contents are desired to be shipped in the box 12. In Figure 5 the process of forming the box 12 is continued, with the top extension panels P5a being folded in so that they lie in the same plane as the two side panels P2, which they will lie adjacent to once the box 12 has been formed and closed. At the same time, the front panel P3 has been folded in half along the internal line of weakness L4, so that the front panel P3 is now formed by two parts that are perpendicular to each other. One part of the front panel P3 forms the traditional front of the box 12 and the second part of the front panel P3 forms an internal surface that is parallel to the base panel P1 and will ultimately be adjacent to the top panel P5, when the box 12 is closed. The slot S1 on the front panel P3 is now pointing upwards, ready to be used in the closing of the box 12. Figures 6 and 7 show the process of closing the box 12 and creating the tamper-evident seal on the box 12. The top extension panel P6 is folded along the line of weakness L7, which moves the top extension panel P6 relative to the top panel P5 so that these two panels P5 and P6 are now perpendicular to each other, rather than lying in the same plane. At the same time, the top extension panel P6 is itself folded in half along the internal line of weakness L8 so that the two halves of the top extension panel P6 are in direct contact with each other (shown in Figure 7), as the folded top extension panel P6 is moved towards the slot S1. In practice, the nature of the cardboard material from which the box 12 is preferably formed, will tend to cause the top extension panel P6 to form a V-shape when viewed from the end, with the internal line of weakness L8 being the base of V-shape. The completion of the closing of the box 12 is performed by the folded top extension panel P6 being passed through the slot S1 on the front panel P3. This final configuration is shown in Figure 8. The person who is creating the box 12, has placed the contents inside the box 12 and has now closed and locked the box 12 so that they can now ship the box 12 as shown in the configuration of Figure 8. The top extension panel P6 (which is no longer visible), once it has been passed through the slot S1 on the front panel P3, creates a lock with the front panel P3, since the top extension panel P6 cannot be withdrawn from the slot S1 without damaging the box 12. The V-shape of the top extension panel P6 (once the top extension panel P6 has been folded in half) creates a lock, since the top of V-shape will now be wider than the width of the slot S1, since the V-shape of the top extension panel P6 will tend to widen once the top extension panel P6 has passed through the slot S1. Figures 9 and 10 show how the end user (the recipient) will open the box 12, once they have received the box 12. The end user breaks open the top panel P5, using the hole H1 and the lines of weakness L18, L9 and L10 that define a three-sided shape on the top panel P5. As can be seen in Figure 9, a sub-panel P5sub is created by the user breaking the lines of weakness L18, L9 and L10 and the user pulls away this sub-panel P5sub from the remainder of the top panel P5. The user can then open the top panel P5, as shown in Figure 10. The top panel P5 is separated from the sub-panel P5sub which remains attached to the front panel P3, via the top extension panel P6. The box 12 cannot be reclosed once opened, without it being obvious that the box 12 has already been opened.

Claims

1. A blank (10) for forming a box (12), the blank (10) comprising:• a base panel (P1),• two side panels (P2) connected to respective first and second opposite sides of the base panel (P1) along respective lines of weakness (L1, L2),• a front panel (P3) connected to a third side of the base panel (P1) along a line of weakness (L3) and including an internal line of weakness (L4) parallel to the line of weakness (L3) connecting the front panel (P3) to the base panel (P1) and a slot (S1) located on the part of the front panel (P3) from the internal line of weakness (L4) to an outer edge (E1) of the front panel (P3),• a back panel (P4) connected to a fourth side of the base panel (P1) along a line of weakness (L5),• a top panel (P5) connected to the back panel (P4) along a line of weakness (L6) parallel to the line of weakness (L5) connecting the back panel (P4) to the base panel (P1), and• a top extension panel (P6) connected to the top panel (P5) along a line of weakness (L7) parallel to the line of weakness (L6) connecting the top panel (P5) to the back panel (P4) and including an internal line of weakness (L8) parallel to the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5).

2. A blank according to claim 1, wherein the top panel (P5) includes an internal line of weakness (L18) parallel to the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5).

3. A blank according to claim 2, wherein the top panel (P5) includes a hole (H1) lying on the internal line of weakness (L18) parallel to the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5).

4. A blank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the top panel (P5) includes two further internal lines of weakness (L9, L10) connecting the respective opposite ends of the internal line of weakness (L18) parallel to the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5), to an outer edge (E2) of the top panel (P5).

5. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5) is discontinuous and comprises two separate sections (L7a, L7b).

6. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5) is spaced back from an outer edge (E2) of the top panel (P5).

7. A blank according to claim 6, wherein the line of weakness (L7) connecting the top extension panel (P6) to the top panel (P5) is spaced back from an outer edge (E2) of the top panel (P5) by a distance equal to the spacing of the slot (S1) on the front panel (P3) from the internal line of weakness (L4) on the front panel (P3).

8. A box formed from the blank of any one of claims 1 to 7.10

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