Box and Lid

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a box including an open container and a lid for closing the open container is disclosed, the box in a closed state comprising two base surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall of the lid, together with at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid side. When the box is in the closed state the container side and the lid side at least partial overlap one another. An inward facing, inclined slide surface is furthermore arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the open container, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct closing position relative to the container. The slide surface runs along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and is remote from the lid side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a box according to the precharacterizing part of claim 1 and to a lid for such a box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packagings in the form of boxes for snuff, both loose snuff and packaged quantities of merchandise, most commonly consists of a box which is discarded when the contents have been consumed. The box comprises a lower part, a pot, which is provided with an upper part, a lid, which allows the box to be opened and re-closed a number of times, often in the order of 20 to 50 times. Such boxes are advantageously composed of plastic material. In order to save space, material and costs, the box material should be as thin as possible.

A known box of this type is shown in SE 524025 and has a basic shape consisting of a straight circular cylinder of low height, and is often likened to a puck. Proceeding from this basic shape the box may have rounded edges, a curved lid and a profiled bottom, for example. Along the outer circumference of the pot there is often an edge or the like, against which the lid is intended to bear when the box is closed. This edge can be produced in that the wall of the pot has a somewhat smaller diameter above the edge than below it.

One problem with known boxes is that the lid often shows a tendency to end up askew on the pot. This problem is often more awkward and occurs more frequently where the thickness of the material in the pot and the lid is reduced. A lid that is fitted askew may mean that the lid immediately falls off or that the box is not correctly closed. If not correctly closed again, the contents of the box can fall out of the box or may dry out or become contaminated, or the quality may be impaired in some other way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to produce an improved box which entirely or partially eliminates the problems inherent in the prior art.

The object is wholly or partially achieved by a box and a lid according to each of the independent claims respectively.

Embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect of the invention a box is produced comprising an open container and a lid for closing the open container. In a closed state the box is defined by two base surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall of the lid, and at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid side. With the box in the closed state, the container side and the lid side at least partially overlap one another. A distinguishing feature of the lid is that an inward facing, inclined slide surface is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the open container, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct closing position relative to the container. The slide surface runs along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and is remote from the lid side.

When closing the open container a box having the aforementioned characteristics allows an incorrectly seating lid to be easily shifted into the correct closing position in relation to the open container. This serves to facilitate correct fitting of the lid and reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.

According to one embodiment the inclined slide surface can be formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in a section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent to the centre of the top wall.

Such a lid design produces an inclined slide surface, which facilitates correct fitting of the lid and reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.

According to one embodiment a groove may be arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface is arranged.

Such a lid design facilitates correct fitting of the lid and reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.

According to one embodiment positively interlocking means may be provided for securing the lid in relation to the open container when the box is in the closed state.

Such means produce a secure closure of the container.

According to one embodiment at least one dimension of the base surfaces may be greater than the height of the box in its closed state.

Such a design produces a box which is suitable for the packaging of snuff, for example, the box being relatively flat and therefore easy to handle and store.

According to a second aspect of the invention a box lid is produced for closing an open container. In a closed state the box is defined by two base surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall of the lid, and at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid side. With the box in the closed state the container side and the lid side at least partially overlap one another. A distinguishing feature of the box is that an inward facing, inclined slide surface is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the open container, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct closing position relative to the container. The slide surface runs along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and is remote from the lid side.

When closing the open container a lid having the aforementioned characteristics allows an incorrectly seating lid to be easily shifted into the correct closing position in relation to the open container. This serves to facilitate correct fitting of the lid and reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.

According to one embodiment the inclined slide surface can be formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in a section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent to the centre of the top wall.

According to one embodiment a groove may be arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface is arranged.

A more detailed description of embodiments will follow, making reference to the drawings attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view which shows a box.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view which shows the open container (the pot) for the box according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view which shows the lid for the box according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the box with lid fitted.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a part of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6a-e show examples of embodiments of the shape of the base surfaces, viewed from above.

FIGS. 7a-c show examples of embodiments of the shape of the boxes, viewed from the side.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view, partially in cross-section, of an embodiment of a box having a lid which has an internal space.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view, partially in cross-section, of an embodiment of a box having an open container, which has a raised portion in its bottom wall.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a box 1, which comprises an open container 2 and a lid 3 for closing the open container 2. The lid 3 is free of the open container 2, that is to say the two parts are not coupled together or joined by hinges or any other similar arrangement. In the basic form shown in FIG. 1 the box 1 with fitted lid 3 consists of a basically straight, circular cylinder, the interior space of which is defined by two base surfaces 4, 5, one of which consists of the bottom wall 4 of the open container and the other of the top wall 5 of the lid 3, together with a lateral surface, that is to say the circumferential surface of the cylinder. The lateral surface is formed by a side 6 of the container, referred to as the container side 6, and a side 7 of the lid, referred to as the lid side 7. Other shapes for boxes 1 that might appear suitable to the person skilled in the art may also be used, such as a box 1 in the form of a cylinder having non-circular base surfaces 4, 5, a cube or a rectangular block with or without rounded edges or corners. FIGS. 6a-e show examples of embodiments of the shape of the base surfaces 4, 5 viewed from above. It will be appreciated that if the box 1 has a cube or rectangular block shape, for example, the interior space of the box 1 is defined by said base surfaces 4, 5 and by four lateral surfaces, both the container side 6 and the lid side 7 comprising four side sections. In various embodiments the bottom wall 4 and the top wall 5 may be plane or arched or may have some other cross-sectional shape when viewed from the side, which may be dictated by the function or by considerations of appearance. FIGS. 7a-c show examples of said embodiments of the shape of the boxes 1 viewed from the side. In one embodiment the bottom wall 4 and the top wall 5 are each externally arched with the same radius of curvature, inwards and outwards respectively in relation to the box 1, as can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5.

As stated above and shown in FIG. 2, the open container 2 is defined by a bottom wall 4 and a circumferential container side 6, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has a basically circular cross-section when viewed from above. It must again be pointed out that the box 1 may have other embodiments as mentioned above, the open container 2 in turn assuming corresponding shapes, such as cube and rectangular block shapes. With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the circumferential container side 6 of the open container 2 may in turn, like the outside thereof, comprise a straight part 8, which is situated adjoining the bottom wall 4 and perpendicular to the plane thereof, and the outside of which constitutes the circumferential surface of a straight circular cylinder. Arranged on the outside adjoining this is an edge 9 directed inwards and upwards, which nearest the straight part 8 may also comprise a narrow edge at right angles to the latter. A flange 10 is arranged immediately above the edge 9, directed obliquely inwards, and from the outer periphery of the flange 10 the upper side 11 of the flange extends obliquely inwards and upwards. An outer side section 12 is situated above the flange 10, the side section 12 having the same shape as the straight part 8 but a somewhat smaller diameter. The inside of the circumferential container side 6 is plane without any functional parts.

As stated above and shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lid adjoining the top wall 5 of the lid 3 is defined by a circumferential lid side 7, which in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 has a basically circular cross-section when viewed from above, and which when the box 1 is closed is basically concentric with the container side 6 of the open container and situated outside this. At the bottom of its inside the circumferential lid side 7 may in turn comprise a means 13, which is designed to positively interlock with a corresponding means 10 on the container side 6, so as to secure the lid 3 in relation to the open container 2 when the box 1 is in the closed state. Such means 10, 13 may consist, for example, of a snap fastener element 10, 13. Such a snap fastener element 10, 13 is shown in FIG. 5 and in this embodiment consists of a flange 13, which when the box 1 is closed is adapted to engage with the corresponding flange 10, described above, of the container side 6, the flanges 10 and 13 being able to bear against one another. A number of ridges 14 intended to guide the lid in relation to the container side 6 may furthermore be provided around the inside of the lid side 7. The ridges 14 shown in FIG. 3 extend approximately from the transition between the top wall 5 of the lid 3 and the lid side 7 downwards along the inside of the lid side 7 to approximately half the height of the lid side 7. When the box 1 is closed, these ridges 14 bear against the outer side section 12 of the container side 6.

According to one embodiment a groove 15 is arranged on the inside of the top wall 5 of the lid 3 adjoining the circumferential lid side 7, the groove 15 being defined by a flange 16, which has a relatively low height. The groove 15 is wider than the upper edge 17 of the container side 6 of the open container and when the box 1 is closed the upper edge 17 rests against the bottom of the groove 15, or close to this. In one embodiment the upper edge 17 rests against the bottom of the groove 15 and determines how far the container side 6 and the lid side 7 overlap one another. The upper edge 17 may furthermore have a diameter which is adapted so that when closing it bears against the inside of the lid side 7 and the outermost section of the lower side of the flange 13, which is directed obliquely outwards and downwards. Such a design permits easy closing. In closing, the upper edge 17 is pressed against the lid side 7, so that the lid side is resiliently pressed basically outwards at right angles, which markedly facilitates the first phase in fitting the lid 1. A section 18 having a thickened cross-section when viewed from the side may be arranged from the flange 16 inwards towards the centre of the lid. The material thickness of this section 18 diminishes inwards towards the centre and terminates a short distance into the top wall 5 of the lid 3. A surface 19 is thereby formed on the inside of the lid, along which surface the upper edge 17 of the outer side section 12 of the container can slide if the lid 3 ends up askew on the open container 2. It has surprisingly emerged that this embodiment with a slide surface 19 in the lid 3 eliminates or at least significantly reduces the problems described above, which are caused by a lid 3 that is placed askew on the open container 2. A lid 3 that is placed askew can easily be shifted, the upper edge 17 of the container side 6 sliding on the inclined surface 19, over the flange 16 and down into the groove 15. Furthermore, the lid side 7 may

The top wall 5, as shown in FIG. 8, may also be designed with a space which is situated on its side remote from the inside of the box 1 and which is defined by the top wall 5 and an outer lid 20. This serves to create a smaller, enclosed space which may be used, for example for temporary storage of used portions of snuff. An example of a lid comprising such a space is described in WO 2005016036.

As shown in FIG. 9, one embodiment of the box 1 may comprise a bottom wall 2, which is designed with a raised portion 21, thereby forming a channel 22 around the raised portion and inside the container side. Such a raised portion is described in SE 524025.

Without departing from the scope of the idea of the invention, the design may be varied in various ways in addition to what has been described here. Besides different embodiments of individual details such as the snap fastener element 10, 13 and guide ridges 14, it is also possible, when the box 1 is closed, for the lid side 7 to be situated on the inside of the container side 6, the functional parts of the lid 3 and the container 2 being reversed, so that the slide surface 19 in this case is a part of the container 2. In such a case the functions and designs will otherwise remain the same. These and other embodiments of the invention will be obvious to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Box comprising an open container and a lid for closing the open container, the box in a closed state being defined by two base surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall of the lid, together with at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid side, the container side and the lid side at least partially overlapping one another when the box is in the closed state, wherein an inward facing, inclined slide surface is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the open containers, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct closing position relative to the container, the slide surface running along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and being remote from the lid side.

2. Box according to claim 1, wherein the inclined slide surface is formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in a section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent to the centre of the top wall.

3. Box according to claim 1, wherein a groove is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface is arranged.

4. Box according to claim 1, wherein positively interlocking means are provided for securing the lid in relation to the open container when the box is in the closed state.

5. Box according to claim 1, wherein at least one dimension of the base surfaces is greater than the height of the box in its closed state.

6. Lid for a box for closing an open container, the box in a closed state being defined by two base surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall of the lid, together with at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid side, the container side and the lid side at least partially overlapping one another when the box is in the closed state,

wherein an inward facing, inclined slide surface is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the open container, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct closing position relative to the container, the slide surface running along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and being remote from the lid side.

7. Lid according to claim 6, wherein the inclined slide surface is formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in a section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent to the centre of the top wall.

8. Lid according to claim 6, wherein a groove is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface is arranged.