BOX FOR THE PACKAGING AND/OR DISPENSING OF PRODUCTS

Abstract

The invention provides a foldable decoration, a cut for the making of a box and a box for packaging and/or distribution of products. Said box includes: an internal space delimited by an upper face, a lower face, a front lateral face, a rear lateral face, a right lateral face and a left lateral face, so that at least one of the lateral faces is articulated by an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge of articulation; and a lid articulated along an edge of the upper face of the box so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis contained in the lid. Said lid can swivel between a shut-down position, in which the upper face of the box is covered by the lid and a lifted-up position.

Description

The present invention concerns a box for packaging and/or distribution of one or a plurality of products, including a foldable decoration in three dimensions (3D). More precisely, the present invention relates to a refillable box in which products, such as tissues, can be stored with a view to a use by the user.

PRIOR ART

WO 2006/111232 describes a casket intended to receive an unfolding/folding structure. The casket includes a plate to which a lid is fixed so as to be able to pivot between a shut-down position and a lifted-up position practically perpendicular to the plate. Said plate is fixed to the top of a basket so as to be able to slide along with regard said basket. The casket includes a closing strip which extends so as to attach the shut-down lid to the wall of the basket. The access to the internal space of the basket is possible only when the user lifts the lid. This configuration does not give a fast and simple access to the products contained in the basket.

The object of the invention is to provide a refillable box, including a foldable decoration in three dimensions. Said box gives the user a simple and fast access to the products contained in the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box having an opening/closing system that is easy to use and that ensures a perfect closing of the box so as to avoid its slackening and/or opening, apart from an opening by the user in order to refill the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a box for packaging and/or distribution of one or a plurality of products, such as tissues, said box includes:

An internal space into which said product can be introduced and stored, the internal space is delimited by an upper face, a lower face, a front lateral face, a rear lateral face, a right lateral face and a left lateral face, so that at least one of the lateral faces is articulated by an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge of articulation, said lateral face can swivel between a closed position in which the box is closed and an open position in which a window of insertion is created in the box, enabling an introduction of said product into the internal space, and

A lid including an internal face and an external face, said lid is articulated along an edge of the upper face of the box so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis contained in the lid. Said lid can swivel between a shut-down position, in which the upper face of the box is covered by the lid, and a lifted-up position. In a favourite embodiment, the lid is fixed in a permanent way to an edge of the upper face of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes in the upper face at least one opening through which the product is partially visible and/or is accessible to the user.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes at least one closing flap articulated along one of the edges of the upper face, said edge is parallel to the edge of articulation of the pivoting lateral face and is situated on the same side as the window of insertion of the box, said closing flap can swivel about a swivel axis represented by the edge along which it is articulated.

In a favourite embodiment, the pivoting lateral face includes at least one closing means articulated along at least one edge of said pivoting lateral face, said edge being perpendicular to the edge of articulation of the lateral face, said closing means can swivel about a swivel axis determined by the edge along which it is articulated, said closing means is adapted to be inserted into the internal space in order to close the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the closing means includes a first edge which is in continuity with the edge of articulation of the lateral face to which the closing means is articulated; a second edge by which the closing means is articulated to the lateral face; a curve connecting said edges; and at least one closing-fixing means. In a favourite embodiment, the closing-fixing means is a flat segment which forms a straight line that is parallel to the edge of articulation of the lateral face to which the closing means is articulated.

In a favourite embodiment, the foldable flap is adapted to be attached to/detached from one of the lateral faces of the box by means of at least one means of attachment provided on said lateral face and/or on said foldable flap.

In a favourite embodiment, the foldable flap is adapted to be inserted between one of the lateral faces and the upper face of the box when the lid is shut down on the upper face, the foldable flap is perpendicular to the lid and said lateral face is in a closed position.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes a foldable decoration including a first flat part attached to the internal face of the lid, a second flat part attached to the upper face of the box and at least one slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure including elements of decoration which have folding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration.

In a favourite embodiment, the box is adapted to be folded along the edge of articulation of the lid to the box and/or the edges of the upper face and/or the lower face and/or the front lateral face and/or the rear lateral face which are parallel to it, said box is adapted to be folded when the pivoting lateral face is in an open position, forming, in this way, a practically flat structure.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldable decoration including a first flat part, a second flat part and at least one slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure including elements of decoration which have folding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a cut for the making of a box as described above, including a plurality of lines of connection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/or closing flaps and/or flaps of the lid and/or lid of the box when said box is formed.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldable decoration as described above which is adapted to be superposed on at least one surface of the cut that is also described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: perspective view of the foldable decoration.

FIG. 2: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention without foldable decoration and with lifted-up lid.

FIG. 3: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention with the foldable decoration and with lifted-up lid.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6: perspective views of the box according to an embodiment of the invention with the foldable decoration showing respectively the lifted-up, partially shut-down and completely shut-down lid.

FIG. 7: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention with the foldable decoration and lifted-up lid.

FIG. 8: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the opening means of the central tab is detached.

FIG. 9: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the opening means and the central tab are detached.

FIG. 10: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention with completely shut-down lid.

FIG. 11: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention with the lifted-up lid, the central tab and the opening means detached.

FIG. 12: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention in a state of use: lifted-up lid, central tab and opening means detached and product, i.e. tissue that can be taken out through the opening existing in the upper lateral face of the box.

FIG. 13: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of the invention in a state of refilling, wherein the right lateral face is open.

FIG. 14: perspective view of a product for refilling the box according to an embodiment of the invention, i.e. a box of tissues.

FIG. 15: perspective view of the mode of refilling of the box according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 to FIG. 19: perspective views showing the steps of a closing of the lid of the box according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 to FIG. 23: perspective views showing the steps of a closing of the right lateral face of the box according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The invention relates to a box for packaging and/or distribution of one or a plurality of products, such as tissues. The box includes a foldable decoration in three dimensions in the middle of which the user can take said product out, such as piled-up tissues. Said product can be contained in a packaging other than the box according to an embodiment of the invention or it can be introduced directly, without any preliminary packaging, into the box according to an embodiment of the invention. The box according to an embodiment of the invention can contain products other than tissues, such as pieces of paper for taking notes, wet towelettes, chocolate, etc.

The box according to an embodiment of the invention can be closed and opened at will, and, once empty of its contents, the product, such as a pile of stacked tissues or a standard box of tissues, can be reloaded into the box. A refilling of the box can be done manually by the user through at least one window of insertion that the box has. The pile of tissues is preferably a pile of imbricate tissues such as imbricate towels. The pile of imbricate tissues is known by the person skilled in the art and is available on the market. The pile of tissues can be wrapped in a wrapping paper and/or in a Cellophane packaging. The pile of tissues can also have no packaging.

The box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lid 2 and a foldable decoration 15. The box is described below in connection with the appended FIGS., in which a standard box of tissues is inserted in the internal space of the box. In that case, the latter is at the same time a box for packaging and distribution of tissues. The FIGS. and the standard box of tissues are used only by way of example and represent on no account a limitation of the invention.

The box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention includes an internal space, into which one or a plurality of products can be introduced. The internal space is delimited by an upper face 6, a lower face 7, a front lateral face 10, a rear lateral face 11, a right lateral face 8 and a left lateral face 9 (FIG. 2).

In a favourite embodiment, at least one of the lateral faces is articulated by an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face 7 so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge of articulation. Said lateral face can swivel between a closed position in which the box is closed and an open position in which a window of insertion is created in the box, thus enabling an introduction of said product into said internal space.

Preferably, the right 8 and left 9 lateral faces are articulated along two edges of the lower face 7 of the box 1, called edges of articulation 32. Said edges of the lower face 7 are parallel to each other. The right lateral face 8 and/or the left lateral face 9 can thus pivot between a closed position which is practically perpendicular to the lower face 7 and an open position enabling an introduction of said product into the box (FIG. 12 and FIG. 13). The right 8 and left 9 lateral faces can also be articulated, in the same way, to an edge of the upper face 6.

Note that, in the same way, the front lateral face 10 and/or the rear lateral face 11 can be articulated along one or two edges of the lower 7 or upper 6 face of the box. The lower face 7 and/or the upper face 6 can also be articulated along one of the edges of one of the lateral faces of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes at least one closing flap articulated along one of the edges of the upper face 6. Said edge is parallel to the edge of articulation of the pivoting lateral face and is situated on the same side as the window of insertion of the box. Said closing flap can swivel about a swivel axis represented by the edge along which it is articulated.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 includes at least a right closing flap 24 articulated along at least one edge of the upper face 6. Said edge is parallel to the edge of articulation 32 of the right pivoting lateral face 8 and is situated on the same side as the window of insertion of the box 1. So, the closing flap can swivel about a swivel axis Y′-Y′ represented by the edge along which it is articulated (FIG. 13). The edge of the upper face 6 is preferably the edge that is perpendicular to the edge of the upper face to which the lid 2 is articulated. So, said right closing flap 24 can swivel between a first position in which it is in the internal space of the box 1 and in contact with the upper face 6 and a position that is practically at 360° from said first position. Note that a closing flap is articulated according to the above described principle for each of the lateral and/or upper and/or lower pivoting faces of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the pivoting lateral face includes at least a closing means 25 articulated along at least one edge of said pivoting lateral face, said edge being perpendicular to the edge of articulation of the lateral face. Said closing means 25 can swivel about a swivel axis determined by the edge along which it is articulated, said closing means 25 is adapted to be inserted into the internal space in order to close the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the pivoting right lateral face 8 and/or the pivoting left lateral face 9 of the box 1 include(s) at least one closing means 25 which is articulated along at least one edge of the pivoting lateral face (FIG. 25). Said edge is perpendicular to the swivel axis Y-Y represented by the edge of articulation 32 of the lateral face 8, 9. Said closing means 25 can swivel about a swivel axis Z-Z, Z′-Z′ (FIG. 13) determined by the edge along which it is articulated and can swivel by 360° between the faces of the lateral face to which it is articulated. Said closing means is adapted to be inserted into the internal space in order to close the box 1 when it is in a position which is practically perpendicular to the lateral face to which it is fixed and when said lateral face is practically perpendicular to the lower face 7 of the box 1 and/or when the right closing flap 24 is practically perpendicular to the upper face 6 of the box 1. Note that, in the same way, the pivoting front lateral face 10 and/or the pivoting rear lateral face 11 and/or the pivoting lower face 7 and/or the pivoting upper face 6 can include at least one closing means as described above.

In a favourite embodiment, the closing means 25 includes a first edge which is in continuity with the edge of articulation of the lateral face to which the closing means 25 is articulated; a second edge by which the closing means 25 is articulated to the lateral face; a curve 34 connecting said edges; and at least one closing-fixing means C. Preferably, the first edge forms a straight and continuous line with said edge of articulation. Preferably, the closing means 25 has a shape which is practically a quarter-circle.

In a favourite embodiment, the closing means 25 includes at least one closing-fixing means C. Preferably, the closing means 25 has a shape which is practically a quarter-circle including a first edge 31, a second edge 33 and a curve 34 connecting said edges. The first edge 31 of the closing means is in continuity with the edge of articulation 32 of the lateral face 8 to the lower face 7 of the box 1. Preferably, the first edge 31 forms a straight and continuous line with said edge of articulation 32. The second edge 33 of the closing means 25 is shared with one of the edges of the right lateral face 8 (FIG. 13). The second edge 33 is the edge by which the closing means 25 is articulated to the lateral face 8, 9. The curve 34 connecting the first edge 31 to the second edge 33 of the closing means 25 ends with a closing-fixing means C (FIG. 13).

In a favourite embodiment, the closing-fixing means C is a flat segment which forms a straight and continuous line with the edge of the right lateral face 8 that is parallel to the edge of articulation 32 of the lateral face to the lower face 7 of the box 1. This is illustrated in FIG. 13, wherein the right lateral face 8 is provided with two closing means 25, on either side of the edge of articulation 32 of the right lateral face 8. The left lateral face 9 of the box 1 can have the same configuration as described above for the right lateral face 8.

In a favourite embodiment, the diameter D of the quarter-circle of the closing means 25 is lower than the height of the box H (FIG. 13). The diameter D increases gradually from the first edge 31 of the closing means as going towards the second edge 33 of the closing means 25. At the closing-fixing means C, the diameter D is equivalent to the height H of the box 1. This configuration makes it easy to insert the closing means 25 into the internal space of the box 1 while ensuring a stable closing of lateral faces 8 and/or 9. Indeed, when they are inserted inside the internal space of the box 1, the closing-fixing means C are in contact with the common edge shared by the upper face 6 and the front lateral face 10 of the box, thus avoiding any accidental and unwanted opening of the lateral faces 8 and/or 9.

In a favourite embodiment, the right closing flap 24 is adapted to leave a clearance, preferably narrow, with respect to the front 10 and rear 11 lateral faces when it is in a position that is perpendicular to the upper face 6 of the box 1. The clearance between the right closing flap 24 in the aforesaid position and the front 10 and/or rear 11 lateral faces is preferably lower than 2 mm, more preferably lower than 1.5 mm, even more preferably lower than 1 mm. This facilitates the insertion of the closing means 25 into the internal space when the right closing flap 24 is in a position that is practically perpendicular to the upper face 6 of the box 1. Note that, according to the same principle, a clearance, preferably narrow, exists between any closing flap of the box and the faces of the box which are adjacent to it.

In a favourite embodiment, one of the faces of the box includes at least one means of attachment. FIG. 2 shows an example wherein the front lateral face 10 of the box 1 includes at least a means of attachment 14, such as restickable double-sided adhesive discs and/or restickable double-sided adhesive strips. The means of attachment 14 can also be in the form of a restickable double-sided adhesive tape or any other means known by the person in the trade.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes in the upper face 6 at least one opening 22 through which the product is partially visible and/or is accessible to the user. The box is adapted to hold in its internal space at least one product that is accessible through said opening 22.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 includes in the upper face 6 at least one detachable tab 12 containing at least one detachable opening means 13. The tab 12 is adapted to be detached from the box further to a detachment of the opening means 13, by the user, thus creating said opening 22 in the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). Preferably, further to the detachment of the opening means 13 by the user, a gap 13′ is created in the tab 12 (FIG. 8). Further to the detachment of the tab 12, said gap 13′ will be part of the opening 22. The tab 12 and the opening means 13 can have any shape— such as circular, rectangular, square— and can be positioned anywhere in the upper lateral face 6. Preferably, the tab 12 has an oval shape and is positioned at the centre of the upper face 6 of the box, as shown in FIG. 7.

In its closed position, each of the edges of the right lateral face 8, except for the edge of articulation, is in contact with one of the edges of the upper face 6 and/or of the front lateral face 10 and/or of the rear lateral face 11. In a favourite embodiment, at least one of the edges of the upper face 6 and/or of the front lateral face 10 and/or of the rear lateral face 11 that is in contact with the right lateral face 8 includes an irregularity which facilitates the opening of the right lateral face 8 of the box by the user in order to limit damages to the box after several openings of said face 8. The irregularity can have any shape known by the person in the trade. For example, the irregularity can be a semicircular notch. Note that this is applicable for each of the pivoting faces of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid 2 of the box 1 includes an internal face 29 and an external face 30 (FIG. 2). Said lid is articulated along an edge of the upper face 6 of the box so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis contained in the lid 2. So, the lid 2 can swivel between a shut down position, in which the upper face 6 of the box is covered by the lid 2 (FIG. 6), and a lifted-up position practically perpendicular to the upper face 6 of the box and in which the opening 22 of the upper face is accessible to the user (FIG. 3).

The swivel axis of the lid 2 can be the edge of the upper face 6 to which the lid 2 is articulated.

Preferably, said swivel axis (X-X, FIGS. 2 and 3) of the lid 2 is a folding line contained in the lid 2 and parallel to the edge of the upper face 6 to which said lid is articulated. The swivel axis X-X of the lid 2 is thus situated at a distance d of the edge of the upper face 6 to which the lid is articulated. When closing the box while shutting down the lid onto the upper face, a clearance exists between the upper face and the internal surface of the lid due to the presence of said distance d. Said clearance is used for containing the foldable decoration when the lid is completely shut down on the upper face. This makes it possible to avoid that the lid becomes round after it was shut down onto the upper face, thus ensuring a bad closing of the box and/or offering a poor visual aspect. Said distance d ranges from 0.5 to 10 mm, preferably from 1 to 9 mm, more preferably from 2 to 8 mm, even more preferably from 3 to 7 mm, most preferably from 4 to 6 mm or any value included in the indicated intervals.

In a favourite embodiment, a perforated or not perforated plastic stick is fixed to the lid at the distance d between the folding line of the lid and the edge of the upper face to which the lid is articulated. Said stick can have a cylindrical or rectangular shape with dimensions, namely diameter or height and/or width, adapted for the fixation of the stick as described above.

In a favourite embodiment, at least one hinge is fixed between the lid and the upper face of the box. Said hinge makes it possible to pivot the lid about the swivel axis X-X. Said hinge can be made of plastic and is adapted to maintain the lid in a practically perpendicular position, preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120°, to the upper face of the box. Preferably, the user will have to force slightly the hinge(s) of the box to shut the lid down completely on the upper face. Preferably, two hinges or more are fixed between the lid and the upper face of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid includes at least one foldable flap articulated along an edge of said lid so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis represented by said edge.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid 2 of the box 1 includes a right foldable flap 3, a left foldable flap 4 and a front foldable flap 5 (FIG. 2). Each foldable flap is articulated along an edge of said lid 2 (FIG. 2) so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis represented by the very one edge. It is evident that the edges of the lid to which flaps are articulated do not include the edge of the lid 2 that is articulated along one of the edges of the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIG. 2). The flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid 2 can swivel by 360° between the internal face 29 and the external face 30 of the lid 2.

In a favourite embodiment, the foldable flap is adapted to be inserted between one of the lateral faces and the upper face of the box when the lid is shut down on the upper face, the foldable flap is perpendicular to the lid and said lateral face is in a closed position.

In a favourite embodiment, the right foldable flap 3 is adapted to be inserted between the right lateral face 8 and the upper face 6 of the box 1 when the lid 2 is shut down on the upper face 6, the right foldable flap 3 is perpendicular to the lid 2 and the right lateral face is in a closed position (FIG. 5); and/or the left foldable flap 4 is adapted to be inserted between the left lateral face 9 and the upper face 6 of the box 1 when the lid 2 is shut down on the upper face 6, the left foldable flap 3 is perpendicular to the lid 2, the left lateral face is in a closed position; and/or the front foldable flap 5 is adapted to be inserted between the front lateral face 10 and the upper face 6 of the box 1 when the lid 2 is shut down on the upper face 6, the front foldable flap 5 is perpendicular to the lid 2, the front lateral face is in a closed position.

In a favourite embodiment, said foldable flap is adapted to be attached to/detached from one of the lateral faces of the box by means of at least one means of attachment provided on said lateral face and/or on said foldable flap. In a favourite embodiment, the front foldable flap 5 of the lid 2 is adapted to be attached to the front lateral face 10 of the box by means of the means of attachment 14 placed on the front lateral face 10 of the box 1 and/or on said foldable flap.

The insertion and/or the attachment of the flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid 2 as described above enables the complete and fixed closing of the lid 2 onto the box 1 (FIGS. 16-19). This makes it possible to maintain a good hygiene of the products contained inside the box, for example in the case of products that will not be used in a near future.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front foldable flap 5 can have a rectangular shape having the same length as the length of the edge of the lid 2 to which said flap is fixed. Said foldable flap can have a rectangular shape, the length of which is lower or higher than that of the edge of the lid 2 to which the flap is fixed. The front foldable flap 5 can also have another shape, such as a triangular, square, circular, half-circular shape, a shape of a part of a circle, etc. In a favourite embodiment, the front foldable flap 5 is intended to be introduced into a slot situated in the front lateral face 10 of the box 1. Of course, the slot of the lateral face is provided at a place and has a size that enable the closing of the lid of the box by means of the front foldable flap.

In another favourite embodiment, the front foldable flap 5 includes a closing strip which is intended to be introduced into a slot situated in the front lateral face 10 of the box 1. Said strip can have any shape, for example: rectangular, triangular, circular. Of course, the slot of the lateral face is provided at a place and has a size that enable the closing of the lid of the box by means of the closing strip.

In another favourite embodiment, the edge of the lid 2 has no front foldable flap 5 and a closing strip is articulated to said edge. Said strip is intended to be introduced into a slot situated in the front lateral face 10 of the box 1. Said strip can have any shape, for example: rectangular, triangular, circular. Of course, the slot of the lateral face is provided at a place and has a size that enable the closing of the lid of the box by means of the closing strip.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid 2 of the box is fixed in a permanent way to one of the edges of the upper face 6 of the box 1.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 includes a foldable decoration 15 including a first flat part 18 attached to the internal face 29 of the lid, a second flat part 19 attached to the upper face 6 of the box 1 and at least one slot 28 laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure 16 including elements of decoration 16′ which have folding lines 17 extending between the aforesaid slots 28. The elements of decoration 16′ can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts 18, 19 of the foldable decoration 15. FIG. 1 shows an example of foldable decoration including spread-out elements of decoration and forming planes 21 that are parallel to the first flat part 18 and planes 20 that are parallel to the second flat part 19 of the foldable decoration 15. Said foldable decoration can be a cardboard sheet including coloured or non-coloured drawings.

In a favourite embodiment, the first flat part 18 and/or the second flat part 19 of the foldable decoration are attached, as described above, to the box 1 in a permanent way. This can be achieved by gluing, for instance. Preferably, the first flat part 18 and/or the second flat part 19 are adapted so that the first flat part 18 partially covers the internal face 29 of the lid, and the second flat part 19 partially covers the upper face 6 of the box 1. So, further to their attachment, the first flat part 18 and the second flat part 19 will have edges which are respectively contained in the internal face 29 of the lid and the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

In a favourite embodiment, the first flat part 18 of the foldable decoration covers at least partially the internal face 29 of the lid of the box 1. The second flat part 19 of the foldable decoration covers at least partially the upper face 6 of the box 1.

When a foldable decoration 15 is attached in this way to the internal face 29 of the lid and to the upper face 6 of the box 1, it folds back automatically on itself when the lid 2 is shut down onto the top of the upper face 6, thus folding up automatically the unfolding-folding structures 16 forming the decoration which were spread out into space. Again the foldable decoration 15 spread out automatically into space when the lid 2 is brought in its lifted-up position. The spread-out foldable decoration makes it possible to maintain the lid of the box in a position which is different from the position in which it is shut down on the upper face of the box. Preferably, the spread-out foldable decoration makes it possible to maintain the lid of the box in a practically perpendicular position, preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120°, to the upper face, thus leaving the opening of the upper face and/or the product contained in the box accessible to the user. The foldable decoration is thus visible for decoration and/or amusement reasons.

The foldable decoration 15 can be made in different ways and with presentations which can vary. It can be made of some or other unfolding structure. The elements of decoration 16′ can unfold into space and can have many configurations and be freely decorated so as to make some desired decoration.

In a favourite embodiment, the unfolding-folding structure 16 of the foldable decoration 15 is adapted to keep the tab 12 and/or the opening means 13 and/or the opening 22 accessible to the user when it is unfolded. So, the opening 22 created in the upper face 6 further to the detachment of the tab 12 and consequently the products contained inside the box 1 are also accessible to the user when the unfolding-folding structure 16 of the foldable decoration 15 is unfolded.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 is adapted to take into its internal space at least one consumable product accessible through the opening 22 which is adapted to be created in the upper face 6 of the box 1 by the user.

In a favourite embodiment of the invention, the box 1, the lid 2 and the foldable decoration 15 are made of cardboard or any other material including plastic, thermoplastic materials, metal materials, etc. Preferably, the box 1, the lid 2 and the foldable decoration 15 are made of cardboard having physical properties making it possible to fold and to unfold the box and/or the foldable decoration easily. The cardboard of the foldable decoration is also rather stiff, which makes it possible to maintain the lid of the box in a practically perpendicular position, preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120° to the upper face.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show how to mount the foldable pop-up 3D decoration 15 (FIG. 1) on the lid 2 of the box 1 and on the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIG. 2). Said lid 2 has foldable flaps 3, 4, 5. The assembling can be made by gluing the foldable decoration 15 on the box. The foldable decoration 15 is affixed on the box so that the foldable decoration 15 covers the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIG. 3). Note that the first part 18 of the foldable decoration 15 is glued on the upper face 6 of the box and that the second part 19 of the foldable decoration 15 is glued on the internal face 29 of the lid 2 of the same box (FIG. 3).

In order to close the box, the three flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid are folded to bring them in a position that is practically perpendicular to the lid 2. The left foldable flap 4 comes to insert into the box between the left lateral face 9 and the upper face 6 and/or the left closing flap. In a similar way, the right foldable flap 3 comes to insert into the box between the right lateral face 8 and the upper face 6 and/or the right closing flap 24 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The front foldable flap 5 is fixed to the front lateral face 10 of the box 1 using the means of attachment 14, such as restickable adhesive discs (FIGS. 4 and 5). So, the box 1 is completely closed as illustrated in FIG. 6. The steps of a closing of the box as described above are illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. It is evident that the position of the means of attachment on the front lateral face is adapted to take and fix the front foldable flap of the lid of the box. This makes it possible to maintain a good hygiene of the products contained inside the box, for example in case of products that will not be used in a near future.

In another embodiment and to close the box, the three flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid are folded to bring them in a position that is practically perpendicular to the lid 2. Said foldable flaps 3, 4, 5 can be fixed to the lateral faces 8, 9, 10 of the box 1 using means of attachment 14, such as restickable adhesive discs and/or double-sided adhesive strips. So, the box 1 is completely closed as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In order to take the product contained inside the internal space of the box, for example tissues, the user will have first of all to lift the lid of the box. Said lid is pivoted, about its swivel axis X-X, by the user in a position which is practically 180° to the upper face 6. Then the user let go of the lid. Due to the physical properties of the cardboard of the box and/or foldable decoration, said lid returns and is maintained and stabilized in a practically perpendicular position, preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120° to the upper face. The user also has to remove the detachable tab 12 situated in the upper face 6 of the box 1 so as to create an opening 22. The detachable tab can be situated at any place in the upper face 6 and/or with regard to the foldable decoration 15. Preferably, the tab is situated in the middle of the upper face and/or in the middle of the 3D foldable decoration (FIG. 9). To this end, the detachable tab 12 includes an opening means 13 that is also detachable.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 7, the opening means 13 is a small tab on the left-hand side of the central tab 12. The small tab shown in FIG. 7 can be detached with a simple push with the finger (FIG. 8). Once the central tab 12 was removed thanks to a perforation in the form of an ellipse in the cardboard, the box 1 is open, thus making the products contained inside the box, such as tissues 23 (FIG. 12), accessible to the user through the opening 22. The above described steps of creation of the opening 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. FIG. 9 shows also the opening means 13 and the tab 12 detached from the upper face 6 of the box 1.

FIG. 10 shows the box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention before use. FIG. 11 shows the box 1 prepared to be used, i.e. with lid 2 lifted up and opening 22 created. FIG. 12 shows the box containing tissues and in use, i.e. a tissue 23 can be easily taken out from the box through the opening 22.

FIG. 13 shows the box, the right lateral face 8 of which is open so that the user can refill the box with products, such as tissues, when the box 1 is empty. Two closing means 25 are articulated to the right lateral face 8. Said closing means 25 are articulated along the edges of the right lateral face 8 which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the swivel axis Y-Y of the right lateral face 8. Said closing means 25 are as described above, i.e. have a form which is practically a quarter-circle including a first edge 31, a second edge 33, a curve 34 connecting said edges and closing-fixing means C (FIG. 13).

FIG. 14 shows a standard box of tissues 26, well known on the market, which can serve as a refill for the box 1. The box of tissues 26 includes on one of its faces a removable part 27 and a narrow notch 35 through which the tissues are removed one by one after detachment of the removable part 27 from the surface of the box of tissues 26. FIG. 15 shows the method for refilling the box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, using the box of tissues 26 of FIG. 14. It is very evident that the opening 22 of the box 1 is adapted to be superposed, at least partially, on the notch 35 of the box tissues 26.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the box 1 with lifted-up lid 2, thus making the 3D foldable decoration visible. The right foldable flap 3 is returned to a practically perpendicular position to the lid 2 so as to be in the parallel continuity of the right lateral face 8 of the box 1 (FIG. 17). It is the same for the left foldable flap 4 of the lid 2. So the right foldable flap can be inserted, when shutting the lid down, between the right lateral face 8 and the right closing flap of the box 1 (FIGS. 18 and 19). When shutting the lid 2 down, the 3D foldable decoration is also folded up. After the lid 2 was completely shut down onto the upper face 6 of the box, the front foldable flap 5 is returned to a position at 90° to the lid and comes to adhere to one or several means of attachment, such as double-sided adhesive and restickable discs and/or restickable double-sided adhesive strips, of the front lateral face 10. So the box is completely closed as shown in FIG. 19.

After the box was refilled with products via one or two lateral faces, the one or both lateral faces 8, 9 of the box must be closed again. FIG. 20 shows a box according to the invention with its right lateral face 8 open. To close said right lateral face 8, it is first of all necessary to return the right closing flap 24 and both closing means 25 into a practically perpendicular position to the upper face 6 of the box 1, as shown in FIG. 21. Then, said right lateral face 8 is lifted up to bring it into its closed position, i.e. a practically perpendicular position to the lower face 7 (FIG. 22). By returning the right lateral face 8 to its closed position, the closing means 25 are gradually inserted into the internal space of the box 1, between the front lateral face 10 and the right closing flap 24 of the box 1 (FIG. 22). Towards the end of the closing of the right lateral face 8, the closing-fixing means C get also inserted into the internal space of the box 1. The closing-fixing means C maintain the closing of the right lateral face 8 and avoid any accidental and unwanted opening of the right lateral face 8, i.e. not carried out by the user. This is due to the fact that the closing-fixing means are straight lines which are in contact with the upper face 6 of the box in the internal space of the latter. So, the right lateral face 8 of the box is completely closed by means of the right closing flap 24 and the means of fixation 25 (FIG. 23).

All these steps described to close the right lateral face 8 are also applicable for the left lateral face 9 and/or any other pivoting face of the box. To open the right lateral face 8 of the box, the user has to reverse the sequence of the steps described for closing said faces.

In a favourite embodiment, the box is adapted to be folded according to the edge of articulation of the lid 2 to the box 1 and/or the edges of the upper face 6 and/or the lower face 7 and/or the front lateral face 10 and/or the rear lateral face 11 which are parallel to it, said box 1 is adapted to be folded when the pivoting lateral face is in an open position, thus forming a practically flat structure, preferably a flat structure. This enables an optimized transport of boxes according to the invention, thus making it possible to transport, easily and in a same volume of transport, many more folded boxes than formed boxes.

In case the right and left lateral faces 8, 9 can swivel, the box is adapted to be folded according to the edge of articulation of the lid 2 to the box 1 and/or the edges of the upper face 6 and/or the lower face 7 and/or the front lateral face 10 and/or the rear lateral face 11 which are parallel to it, said box 1 is adapted to be folded when the right and left lateral faces 8, 9 are in continuity with the lower face 7 of the box 1, thus forming a practically flat structure, preferably a flat structure. Preferably, the box is foldable when the right 8 and left 9 lateral faces are contained in the same plane as the lower face 7 of the box 1.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldable decoration 15 including a first flat part 18, a second flat part 19 and at least one slot 28 laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure 16 including elements of decoration 16′ which have folding lines 17 extending between the aforesaid slots 28 and can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts 18, 19 of the foldable decoration 15. Said decoration can be in the form of cardboard paper including a first part, a second part, the aforesaid slots and folding lines, coloured or non-coloured drawings. The foldable decoration is adapted to be attached to the box as described above. It is evident that the dimensions of the decoration must be adapted to said attachment and thus to the dimensions of the box and, more precisely, of the upper face and the lid of the box.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a cut for the making of a box as described above, including a plurality of lines of connection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/or of the closing flaps and/or of the flaps of the lid and/or of the very lid of the box when said box is formed. Said lines of connection delimit the various faces and the various flaps of the box. Said cut includes at least one surface adapted to be attached to at least one second surface of the same cut, thus forming a box with lid and without any foldable decoration, as shown in FIG. 2.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldable decoration as described above adapted to be superposed on at least one surface of the cut that is also described above.

The embodiment described above and illustrated in the appended drawings is an example given by way of illustration and the present invention is by no means limited to this example. Any modification, any variant and any equivalent arrangement must be considered as included within the scope of said invention.

Claims

1. Box for packaging and/or distribution of one or a plurality of products, such as tissues, said box comprising:

an internal space into which said product can be introduced, wherein the internal space is delimited by an upper face, a lower face, a front lateral face, a rear lateral face, a right lateral face and a left lateral face, so that at least one of the lateral faces is articulated by an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge of articulation, wherein said lateral face can swivel between a closed position in which the box is closed and an open position in which a window of insertion is created in the box, enabling an introduction of said product into the internal space, and

a lid comprising an internal face and an external face, wherein said lid is articulated along an edge of the upper face of the box so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis (X-X) contained in the lid, wherein said lid can swivel between a shut-down position, in which the upper face of the box is covered by the lid, and a lifted-up position.

2. Box according to claim 1, comprising in the upper face at least one opening through which the product is partially visible and/or is accessible to the user.

3. Box according to claim 1, comprising at least one closing flap articulated along one of the edges of the upper face, wherein said edge is parallel to the edge of articulation of the pivoting lateral face and is situated on the same side as the window of insertion of the box, and wherein said closing flap can swivel about a swivel axis represented by the edge along which it is articulated.

4. Box according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting lateral face comprises at least one closing means articulated along at least one edge of said pivoting lateral face, said edge being perpendicular to the edge of articulation of the lateral face, and wherein said closing means can swivel about a swivel axis determined by the edge along which it is articulated, and wherein said closing means is adapted to be inserted into the internal space in order to close the box.

5. Box according to claim 1, wherein the closing means comprises a first edge which is in continuity with the edge of articulation of the lateral face to which the closing means is articulated; a second edge by which the closing means is articulated to the lateral face; a curve connecting said edges; and at least one closing-fixing means (C).

6. Box according to claim 1, wherein the closing-fixing means (C) is a flat segment which forms a straight line that is parallel to the second edge of articulation of the lateral face to which the closing means is articulated.

7. Box according to claim 1, wherein the lid is fixed in a permanent way to an edge of the upper face of the box.

8. Box according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes at least one foldable flap articulated along an edge of said lid so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis represented by said edge.

9. Box according to claim 8, wherein said foldable flap is adapted to be attached to/detached from one of the lateral faces of the box by at least one means of attachment provided on said lateral face and/or on said foldable flap.

10. Box according to claim 8, wherein the foldable flap is adapted to be inserted between one of the lateral faces and the upper face of the box when the lid is shut down on the upper face, the foldable flap is perpendicular to the lid and said lateral face is in a closed position.

11. Box according to claim 1, comprising a foldable decoration comprising a first flat part attached to the internal face of the lid, a second flat part attached to the upper face of the box and at least one slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure comprising elements of decoration which have folding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration.

12. Box according to claim 1, adapted to be folded along the edge of articulation of the lid to the box and/or the edges of the upper face and/or the lower face and/or the front lateral face and/or the rear lateral face which are parallel to it, wherein said box is adapted to be folded when the pivoting lateral face is in an open position, forming, in this way, a practically flat structure.

13. Foldable decoration comprising a first flat part, a second flat part and at least one slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure comprising elements of decoration which have folding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration.

14. Cut for the making of a box as described in claim 1 comprising a plurality of lines of connection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/or closing flaps and/or flaps of the lid and/or lid of the box when said box is formed.

15. Foldable decoration comprising a first flat part, a second flat part and at least one slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure comprising elements of decoration which have folding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration, adapted to be superposed on at least one surface of a cut for the making of a box as described in claim 1 comprising a plurality of lines of connection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/or closing flaps and/or flaps of the lid and/or lid of the box when said box is formed.