Box Closer
In one embodiment of the present invention, a box closer is provided comprising an elongated bar having a first and second end, a width, a thickness, and a length that is longer than the major width of the box, a first edge-stop attached in a fixed or removable manner at or near a first end of the bar, and a second edge-stop attached in a fixed or removable manner at or near the second end of the bar.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of taping packing boxes and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for closing packing box flaps for easy and effective taping.
2. Discussion of the State of the Art
In the field of packing boxes, there is currently no way to easily and effectively hold two folded outer box flaps in place while taping a box closed for shipment. Current solutions involve methods where an operator has to hold the box flaps in place with one hand while taping the edges closed with the other hand. This method can prove to be difficult, ineffective, and can result in a poorly taped box. In addition, this method can result in a box that might be slightly off kilter, not squared, or have gaps between the flaps of the box. These results could lead to the possible damage of the contents of an operator's box, and could also lead to the box flaps opening during shipment as the result of poorly taped edges. The process is time consuming, awkward and stressful.
Therefore, what is clearly needed is an inexpensive apparatus that aids in holding or securing two folded outer box flaps of a packing box in place for easy and effective taping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment of the present invention, a box closer is provided comprising an elongated bar having a first and second end, a width, a thickness, and a length that is longer than the minor width of the box, a first edge-stop attached in a fixed at or near a first end of the bar, and a second edge-stop attached in a fixed or removable manner at or near the second end of the bar.
In one embodiment the bar includes a single opening at or near the first end, the opening for positioning the first edge stop during attachment of the stop to the bar. Also in one embodiment of the invention, the box closer bar includes multiple openings extending there through arranged in a linear pattern beginning near the second end and extending substantially toward the center of the bar, the openings adapted for positioning the second edge-stop relative to the width of the box. In one embodiment of the invention, the box closer bar includes an elongated slot disposed along the longitudinal center thereof from near the second end and extending substantially past the vertical center of the bar, the slot adapted for positioning the second edge-stop relative to the width of the box.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the box closer first edge-stop is rectangular and the second edge-stop is semi-annular, wherein the closer is adjustable to the width of the box and wherein torque is applied by rotational movement to create pressure on the box sides to square up the box flaps for taping. In one embodiment, the box closer second edge-stop is mounted over the bar and adjusted to a desired position via one of the multiple openings. In one embodiment, the box closer second edge-stop is mounted over the bar and adjusted to the desired position via the elongated slot and a clamping mechanism.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the box closer further comprises a handle wherein the first and second edge-stops are fixed to, or contiguously formed on the bar, the second edge-stop provided in the form of a wedge for applying pressure on the box sides to square up the box flaps for taping, the handle used to position and then to lower the bar over the width of the box.
In one embodiment of the invention, the box closer further comprises a handle wherein the first edge-stop is fixed to, or contiguously formed on the bar, the second edge-stop attached to the bar via a spring-loaded mechanism that provides spring-loaded pressure on the box sides to square up the box s for taping, the handle used to position and then lower the bar over the width of the box. In one embodiment of the present invention, the box closer first and second edge-stops have rubber surfaces that interface with the edges of the box.
The present invention is described in enabling detail using the following examples which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the present invention.
The inventor provides an apparatus for securing the outer flaps of a standard packing box in a closed position and for squaring up the box for easy and effective taping by a user. The system and methods of the invention are described below according to the following embodiments.
Positional adjustability relative to edge stop 203 by engagement with holes 204 in bar 201 allows an operator to adjust box closer 200 to accommodate any one of various sizes of packing boxes available in the art. Edge stop 202 may be usually positioned to be at or near one end of bar 201 and is at least somewhat rotatable in its mounted position relative to the bar. Edge stop 203 may be moved as desired to accommodate boxes of differing dimensions.
Surfaces of rectangular edge stops 202 and 203 may be surfaced with rubber, fabric, or some other gripping material that will not damage the edge of a fiberboard box.
A user may adjust semi-annular edge stop 203 to any suitable position along bar 201 by sliding the stop to the desired position over the bar and then inserting pin 205 through an opening in the top surface of edge stop 203.
In one embodiment of the invention edge stop 203 might be adjusted relative to the bar length using a bolt that might screw into bar 201 using threaded through-holes 204 according to the size of the packing box. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 203 might be adjusted using a drop bolt that features a spring-loaded mechanism that might be inserted into the appropriate through-hole 204 along bar 201, the edge stop held in place by the force of the spring.
In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 203 might be adjusted using a peg system where a peg may be dropped through the top surface of the stop into one of the holes in bar 201. This may allow for quick linear adjustments along bar 201 when working a batch of boxes that vary in size from small to large. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 203 might include a clamping mechanism to allow for linear adjustments using through-holes 204 along bar 201. In another embodiment, edge stop 203 might include a twist knob mechanism threaded through an opening provided through the top of the stop to allow for linear adjustments along a bar 201 that is blank or does not have a linear hole pattern. Edge stop 203 may feature some other type of size adjustment system without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In one embodiment of the invention, edge stop 202 may be a rectangular piece that swivels to fit squarely (flat edge against box) along the edge of the packing box regardless of the angular position of the bar. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 202 may be a hexagonal shaped piece that swivels to fit squarely along the edge of the packing box. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 202 may be a semi-annular shaped piece that includes a flat edge that may swivel to interface against the edge of the packing box. Edge stop 202 may be provided in any other shape having at least one flat edge that can be rotated to interface squarely along the edge of the packing box without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In one embodiment, edge stop 202 may be attached to bar 201 using a bolt that may be screwed in to bar 201 through an opening in the top surface of the stop. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 202 may be attached to bar 201 using a spring-loaded peg. In another embodiment, edge stop 202 may be attached to bar 201 using a clamping mechanism. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 202 may be attached to bar 201 using a twist knob placed through the bar and threaded into an opening provided in the top of the stop. Edge stop 202 may feature some other type of attachment system without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this particular embodiment of the invention, bar 201 of closer 200 has a linear pattern of through-holes located at both ends of the bar for accommodating linear positioning of both edge stops.
A user may position the box closer so that a flat edge of edge stop 202 is flush along the edge of packing box 101. The user may then adjust semi-annular edge stop 203 toward the opposite edge until it touches or is very close to touching the opposite edge of the box. This adjustment need only be done once for boxes of a particular size, and the closer may then be reused as needed for closing boxes of the same size. The weight of the bar functions to keep the box flaps closed against the underlying flaps of packing box 101.
An important purpose of the box closer in embodiments of the invention is to apply moderate pressure inward on box 101 to cause the flaps to meet. This pressure, once the flaps meet along their edges will cause the box to square up. To apply this pressure to square up the box the user may rotate the bar of the box closer in one direction about a vertical axis (see angle A) or in the other (opposite) direction, until edge stop 202 and edge stop 203 rest snugly against the packing box and apply pressure to the box. This rotation of the bar of the box closer causes the opposing stops to move together and apply pressure to the edges of the box, causing the flaps to engage along their outer edges, which has an effect of squaring the box. The user may then apply tape to the exposed edges of packing box 101 taping the flaps down along opposite edges. After the user removes box closer 200 from packing box 101, the user may then apply tape along the gap between the box flaps.
The inventor believes this action results in a cone of pressure as indicated by the dotted lines in
Edge stop 402 is not positionally adjustable in this example. Edge stop 403 includes a simple clamp assembly 405 adapted to span the width and sides of the bar, the assembly may be clamped to the bar at different positions by tightening a twist knob 406. Edge stop 403 is thus linearly adjustable to position it anywhere along slot 304. A simple bolt or rod functions as the actual interfacing component of the edge stop and is covered with a rubber boot or other soft but resilient material to prevent damage to the edges of the box.
In one embodiment of the invention, moving edge stop 403 enables a user to adjust box closer 401 to accommodate various sizes of packing boxes.
In one embodiment of the invention, edge stop 403 is retained in position along slot 404 by tightening a twist knob 406 that can be loosened for adjustment and tightened when the appropriate distance to facilitate box size has been achieved. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 403 may be adjusted using a different type of clamping mechanism, such as a lever operated clamp.
In one embodiment of the invention, edge stop 402 is a simple bolt covered with a rubber boot that is passed through bar 401 via an opening provided for the purpose. Both edge stops extend below bar 401 when installed so they may contact the edges of the box when the bar is laid over the box. In one embodiment of the invention edge stop 402 might be attached to bar 401 using a clamping mechanism. In one embodiment of the invention edge stop 402 may be attached to bar 401 using a clamp operated by a twist knob similar to edge stop 203 of
In this particular embodiment of the invention edge stops 402 and 403 have annular rubber or rubber-like boots fitted over otherwise exposed bolts or rods. In one embodiment of the invention edge stop 402 may have a rectangular end piece or boot that fits squarely against the edge of a standard packing box. In another embodiment of the invention, edge stop 402 may have a hexagonal end piece that fits squarely against the edge of a standard packing box. In another embodiment, edge stop 402 may have a semi-annular end piece having a flat edge that fits squarely against the edge of a standard packing box. Edge stop 402 may have some other type of end piece or boot having at least one flat edge that fits squarely against a standard packing box without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
When properly adjusted, the box closer lies over the box with the edge stops extending over each end touching or near to the box edges. To square up the box, the user may rotate the bar of the closer just as described above for close 200 with reference to
In one embodiment edge stop 603 is mounted via two through holes, over two shafts 605 that are anchored into blind holes formed into the end of bar 601. Springs 606 are provided and anchored over the shafts at one end and to the inside of edge stop 603 with relief for the shaft. The edge stop sides freely over the shafts and abuts against the end of bar 601 when at rest. Edge stop 603 is biased toward bar 601 by the spring action. As the view is a side elevation view, only one of the bar and spring assemblies may be seen. In one embodiment only one bar and one spring is sufficient, and another mechanism may cause stop 603 to maintain its downward extending aspect with respect to bar 601.
In some embodiments as described with reference to
With the embodiment shown in
After applying the tool over the box and urging the tool downward to square up the box via the wedge, the user may then apply tape to the exposed edges of packing box 101. The user might then use handle 703 to remove box closer 700 from packing box 101, and then apply tape along the gap between the outer box flaps.
It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the box closer of the invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A box closer comprising:
- an elongate bar having a first and second end, a width, a thickness, and a length that is longer than a width of the box;
- a first edge stop fixed or removably attached at or near a first end of the bar;
- a second stop fixed or removably attached at or near the second end of the bar.
2. The box closer of claim 1 wherein the bar includes a single opening at or near the first end, the opening for positioning the first edge stop during attachment of the stop to the bar.
3. The box closer of claim 1 wherein the bar includes multiple openings extending there through arranged in a liner pattern beginning near the second end and extending substantially toward the center of the bar, the openings adapted for positioning the second edge stop relative to the width of the box.
4. The box closer of claim 1 wherein the bar includes an elongate slot disposed along the longitudinal center thereof from near the second end and extending substantially past the vertical center of the bar, the slot adapted for positioning the second edge stop relative to the width of the box.
5. The box of claim 3 wherein the first edge stop is rectangular and the second edge stop is semi-annular, wherein the closer is adjustable to the width of the box and wherein torque is applied to create pressure on the box sides to square up the box flaps for taping.
6. The box closer of claim 3 wherein the second edge stop is mounted over the bar and adjusted to a desired position via one of the multiple openings.
7. The box closer of claim 4 wherein the second edge stop is mounted over the bar and adjusted to a desired position via the elongate slot and a clamping mechanism.
8. The box closer of claim 1 further comprising:
- a handle;
- wherein the first and second edge stops are fixed to or contiguously formed on the bar, the second edge stop provided in the form of a wedge for applying pressure on the box sides to square up the box s for taping, the handle used to position and then to lower the bar over the width of the box.
9. The box closer of claim 1 further comprising:
- a handle;
- wherein the first edge stop is fixed to or contiguously formed on the bar, the second edge stop attached to the bar via a spring loaded mechanism that provides spring pressure on the box sides to square up the box flaps for taping, the handle used to position and then to lower the bar over the width of the box.
10. The box closer of claim 1 wherein the first and second edge stops have rubber surfaces that interface with the edges of the box.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Inventor: Bill Beyer (Santa Cruz, CA)
Application Number: 13/908,405
International Classification: B65B 67/00 (20060101);