Patent Application
20170081073
This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-185683 filed Sep. 18, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Technical Field
Preferred embodiments relate to a wraparound case.
Related Art
Conventional wraparound cases for allowing ease of opening and closing are known in which perforation is provided across an entire ridgeline of a top face lid, such that the top face lid can be easily re-closed after the top face lid has been opened (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2002-12220).
However, when perforation is provided across the entire ridgeline of the top face lid, perforated tear marks are apparent, even when the top face lid has been re-sealed after the top face lid has been opened, such that there is a possibility of a negative effect on the appearance of the wraparound case.
In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of preferred embodiments is to provide a wraparound case in which perforation marks are less liable to be apparent, even when a top face panel is re-sealed after the top face panel has been opened.
A wraparound case of a first aspect of the disclosure includes: a case main body including a top face panel and a bottom face panel that face each other, a front face panel and a back face panel that face each other, a pair of side face panels that face each other, and an insertion flap that extends out from the top face panel and overlaps with the front face panel; a hinge section that is formed between the top face panel and the back face panel; a slit that is formed along a ridgeline between the top face panel and each of the pair of side face panels; and tear sections that couple a front face panel side and a back face panel side of the top face panel with the pair of side face panels, and that are torn when the top face panel is opened.
The first aspect of the disclosure enables the perforation marks to be less liable to be apparent, even when the top face panel is re-sealed after the top face panel has been opened.
Detailed explanation follows regarding an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, based on the drawings.
Note that for ease of explanation, the arrow FR shown in each of the drawings indicates the front direction (front face side) of a wraparound case 10, and the opposite direction thereto is the rear direction (back face side). The arrow LH indicates the left direction of the wraparound case 10, and the left-right direction is the width direction of the wraparound case 10. The arrow UP indicates the upper direction of the wraparound case 10.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The recording tape cartridges TC are each configured by a single reel wound with recording tape such as magnetic tape (not illustrated in the drawings) that is housed inside a flat rectangular box shaped case, and is mainly employed for data back-up of a computer or the like. Each recording tape cartridge TC is therefore sometimes stored and kept inside a flat rectangular box shaped plastic container that is slightly larger than its case.
In the present exemplary embodiment, plural recording tape cartridges TC, each in a state stored inside a plastic container, are stored inside the case main body 12 of the wraparound case 10, with an axial direction of their reels oriented along the left-right direction, that is a facing direction of side face panels 20, described later, and there is substantially no separation between the respective recording tape cartridges TC. Note that the case main body 12 of the wraparound case 10 is formed with a size capable of storing five recording tape cartridges TC.
As illustrated in
Thus, the front face panel 22 and the back face panel 26, the bottom face panel 24 and the top face panel 28, and the pair of side face panels 20 are respectively formed in substantially rectangular shapes with the same size as each other. A cutout portion 22A is formed in a portion that is an upper end portion of the front face panel 22 in the sealed state of the wraparound case 10. Note that the cutout portion 22A and the insertion flap 30 are explained in detail later.
As illustrated by single-dotted dashed lines in
As illustrated in
The fold lines L2 are respectively formed between the front face panel 22 and the pair of front side inner flaps 32, and the front side inner flaps 32 are folded along the fold lines L2. Front sides of inner panels 18 disposed at the width direction inner side of the side face panels 20 are respectively configured by the front side inner flaps 32.
A pair of rear side inner flaps 36 are respectively provided at both width direction sides of the back face panel 26. The pair of rear side inner flaps 36 are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape with both corner portions at a leading end side configured in a circular arc shape. The fold lines L2 are respectively formed between the back face panel 26 and the pair of rear side inner flaps 36, and the rear side inner flaps 36 are folded along the fold lines L2.
Rear sides of the inner panels 18 are respectively configured by the rear side inner flaps 36. Note that configuration may be such a gap is formed between rear ends of the front side inner flaps 32 folded along the fold lines L2 and front ends of the rear side inner flaps 36 folded along the fold lines L2 (see
A pair of lower side outer flaps 34 are respectively provided at either width direction side of the bottom face panel 24. The pair of lower side outer flaps 34 are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape with both corner portions at a leading end side configured in a circular arc shape. The fold lines L2 are respectively formed between the bottom face panel 24 and the pair of lower side outer flaps 34, and the lower side outer flaps 34 are folded along the fold lines L2. Lower sides of the side face panels 20 are respectively configured by the lower side outer flaps 34.
A pair of upper side outer flaps 38 are respectively provided at either width direction side of the top face panel 28. The pair of upper side outer flaps 38 are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape with both corner portions at a leading end side configured in a circular arc shape. A slit 16 and tear sections 40 are formed between the top face panel 28 and each of the pair of upper side outer flaps 38, and a ridgeline 14 is formed by folding each upper side outer flap 38 along the tear sections 40 (slit 16). Note that the slit 16 and the tear sections 40 are explained in detail later.
Upper sides of the side face panels 20 are respectively configured by the upper side outer flaps 38. Namely, the side face panels 20 are respectively configured by the lower side outer flaps 34 disposed at the lower sides and the upper side outer flaps 38 disposed at the upper sides, and are disposed at the width direction outer sides of the inner panels 18 respectively configured by the front side inner flaps 32 and the rear side inner flaps 36.
More specifically, as described later, the side face panels 20 are configured by folding all the fold lines L1, L2, and so on, then overlapping, from the width direction outsides, inner faces of the upper side outer flaps 38 and the lower side outer flaps 34 on outer faces of the front side inner flaps 32 and the rear side inner flaps 36, and joining these together using adhesive or the like.
Note that as illustrated in
Explanation follows regarding the cutout portion 22A formed at the front face panel 22, and the insertion flap 30 that extends out from the top face panel 28.
As illustrated in
Note that “formed at an offset position” referred to herein is a concept including configurations in which a center in a width direction of the cutout portion 22A is formed at a position offset toward the right side (one end side) or a left side (another end side) with respect to the center in the width direction of the front face panel 22. Thus, as long as a center line C2 in the width direction of the cutout portion 22A is offset toward the right side or the left side with respect to the center line C1 in the width direction of the front face panel 22, the cutout portion 22A may be formed at a position straddling across the center line C1.
As illustrated in
Note that, when sealing the wraparound case 10, the insertion flap 30 is disposed inside an upper portion of the front face panel 22, and is overlapped with an inner face of the front face panel 22. Configuration is such that, after the wraparound case 10 has been opened, the wraparound case 10 may be re-sealed (repackaged) by inserting the insertion flap 30 inside the upper portion of the front face panel 22.
A length of the insertion flap 30 in the width direction is formed with substantially the same length as the top face panel 28, and a length of the insertion flap 30 in the up-down direction (extension length) in a sealed state is formed shorter than half a length of the front face panel 22 in the up-down direction. Note that there is no particular limitation to the length of the insertion flap 30 in the up-down direction, and any length is sufficient as long as the length is of an amount that the insertion flap 30 cannot easily be removed from inside the upper portion of the front face panel 22, and the length is of an amount that does not impair the ease of insertion of the insertion flap 30 into the upper portion of the front face panel 22 during re-sealing.
Part of a leading end portion (a lower end portion in the sealed state) of the insertion flap 30 is cut out in a substantially rectangular shape, thereby forming a short portion 30A. As illustrated in
The lower end portion of the cutout portion 22A formed in the front face panel 22 is positioned further toward a lower side than a lower end portion of the short portion 30A formed in the insertion flap 30. Thus, a spacing S, into which a finger can be inserted when opening the top face panel 28, is formed between the lower end portion of the short portion 30A and the lower end portion of the cutout portion 22A.
Next, explanation follows regarding the slit 16 and the tear sections 40 formed at the ridgeline 14 between the top face panel 28 and each upper side outer flap 38.
As illustrated in
Namely, each upper side outer flap 38 is only coupled to the top face panel 28 by the respective tear sections 40 at one front and one rear locations. The respective tear sections 40 at one front and one rear locations are torn open when the top face panel 28 is opened. Note that there is no particular limitation to a length of each tear section 40 in the front-rear direction, and any length is sufficient as long as the length is of an amount enabling the sealed state to be maintained when the wraparound case 10 is sealed, and enabling easy tearing when the wraparound case 10 is opened.
Explanation follows regarding operation of the wraparound case 10 configured as described above.
When accommodating plural (five, for example) recording tape cartridges TC in a state stored in plastic containers inside the wraparound case 10, each of the recording tape cartridges TC is placed on an inner face of the bottom face panel 24. Note that the recording tape cartridges TC are arrayed with the axial direction of their reels oriented along the left-right direction when this is performed.
In a state in which all the fold lines L1, L2 and the tear sections 40 have been folded, and the insertion flap 30 has been disposed inside the upper portion of the front face panel 22, the inner faces of the upper side outer flaps 38 and the lower side outer flaps 34 respectively configuring the side face panels 20 are joined by adhesive or the like to the outer faces of the front side inner flaps 32 and the rear side inner flaps 36 respectively configuring the inner panels 18. Thus, the wraparound case 10 is assembled with the plural recording tape cartridges TC accommodated inside.
When the wraparound case 10 in the sealed state is opened, an operator hooks a finger on the lower end portion of the short portion 30A of the insertion flap 30 and lifts up the top face panel 28 to tear open the tear section 40. As illustrated in
Namely, the ease of opening can be improved compared to configurations in which the spacing S is not formed. As illustrated in
To explain in detail, as illustrated in
When the top face panel 28 is lifted up following this, as illustrated in
The wraparound case 10 is opened in the above manner. In the present exemplary embodiment, load is concentrated to tear open the tear section 40 at the front right side (one side), then load is concentrated to tear open the tear sections 40 at the front left side and the rear right side (other sides), thereby enabling each tear section 40 to be torn open under a small load.
In configurations in which the cutout portion 22A is formed at a position at the center line C1 (center) of the front face panel 22, for example, substantially equivalent loads are distributed to the tear sections 40 at both the front left and front right sides when a finger is hooked onto the lower end portion of the short portion 30A and the top face panel 28 is lifted up. Thus, sufficient load to tear open the tear sections 40 at both the front left and front right sides at the same time is required when opening the top face panel 28.
In contrast thereto, in the wraparound case 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, load is first concentrated on the tear section 40 at the front right side, thereby enabling the tear section 40 to be torn open under a smaller load than in cases in which the tear sections 40 at both the front left and front right sides are torn open at the same time. This enables the load required to open the top face panel 28 to be reduced, and enables the ease of opening the wraparound case 10 to be improved.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Namely, even in configurations in which the recording tape cartridges TC are stored inside the case main body 12 with almost no gap therebetween, as in the wraparound case 10, the recording tape cartridges TC can be easily removed from inside the case main body 12. Note that configuration may be such that the sloped portion 32A is only formed to the upper end portion of the front side inner flap 32 at the right side, or only formed to the upper end portion of the front side inner flap 32 at the left side.
A sloped portion (not illustrated in the drawings) that slopes downward on progression from the back face panel 26 side toward the front face panel 22 side may be formed at an upper end portion of each rear side inner flap 36; however, the wraparound case 10 is configured to be opened from the front side. Namely, since the rear side of the top face panel 28 becomes the hinge section 42 when the top face panel is lifted up, it is preferable to form the sloped portion 32A at the upper end portion of each front side inner flap 32.
Recording tape cartridges TC that have been removed from inside the case main body 12 are sometimes stored inside the case main body 12 again after labels (not illustrated in the drawings), for example, have been stuck on. Thus, the wraparound case 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a configuration that enables re-sealing (repackaging).
Namely, the wraparound case 10 can be re-sealed by inserting the insertion flap 30 inside the upper portion of the front face panel 22. Note that tear marks that have been made by having torn the tear sections 40 are less liable to be apparent when the re-sealing is performed, thereby enabling a negative effect on the appearance of the wraparound case 10 to be suppressed.
In the wraparound case 10, as illustrated in
The wraparound case 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment has been explained above based on the drawings; however, the wraparound case 10 is not limited to that illustrated, and various layout modifications may be applied as appropriate within a range not departing from the scope of the present invention recited in the claims. For example, the insertion flap 30 is inserted inside the upper portion of the front face panel 22 in the sealed state; however, there is no limitation thereto, and the insertion flap 30 may be joined to an outer face of the upper portion of the front face panel 22 using an adhesive or the like that allows easy peeling.
In such cases, after the insertion flap 30 has been peeled off the outer face of the upper portion of the front face panel 22, the wraparound case 10 can be opened similarly to as previously described by gripping a right end portion or a left end portion of the insertion flap 30 and lifting up the top face panel 28. Note that in such cases, there is an advantage in that the short portion 30A does not need to be formed in the insertion flap 30. Moreover, re-sealing (repackaging) can be performed after opening by inserting the insertion flap 30 inside the upper portion of the front face panel 22.
Moreover, in cases in which the length of the cutout portion 22A in the up-down direction is longer than the length of the insertion flap 30 in the up-down direction, the short portion 30A does not need to be formed in the insertion flap 30. In the wraparound case 10, the cutout portion 22A is formed at a position offset toward the right side with respect to the center line C1 in the width direction of the front face panel 22; however, there is no limitation thereto, and the cutout portion 22A may be formed at a position offset toward the left side with respect to the center line C1.
Cutout portions 22A may be respectively formed both at positions offset toward the right side and the left side with respect to the center line C1 in the width direction of the front face panel 22, short portions 30A of the insertion flap 30 are also formed at both left and right sides corresponding to the respective cutout portions 22A. As long as the tear sections 40 are easily torn, the center line C2 in the width direction of the cutout portion 22A may be formed at a position aligned with the center line C1 in the width direction of the front face panel 22.
In the wraparound case 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, one tear section 40 is respectively formed at the front and rear of each ridgeline 14; however, there is no limitation thereto. For example, as illustrated in
Although not illustrated in the drawings, configuration may be such that three tear sections 40 are provided at the front face panel 22 side of the top face panel 28 and each upper side outer flap 38, and three tear sections 40 are provided at the back face panel 26 side of the top face panel 28 and each upper side outer flap 38. The number of tear sections 40 may differ at the front and rear of each ridgeline 14, and may differ between the left and right ridgelines 14.
For example, two tear sections 40 may be formed at the front side and one tear section 40 at the rear side of each left and right ridgeline 14. Alternatively, two tear sections 40 may be formed at the front side and two tear sections 40 at the rear side of the ridgeline 14 at the right side, and one tear section 40 may be formed at the front side and one tear section 40 at the rear side of the ridgeline 14 at the left side. In any case, it is sufficient for the tear sections 40 to be provided in small groups at both front and rear end portions of each ridgeline 14, and for the slit 16 to be formed with a length that largely divides a front-rear direction center portion of the respective ridgeline 14 in the front-rear direction, for example, a length of the slit 16 is 80% of the length of the ridgeline 14, or greater.
The case main body 12 of the wraparound case 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is formed with a size capable of storing five recording tape cartridges TC; however, the size of the case main body 12 is not limited thereto. For example, the case main body 12 may be formed with a size capable of storing six recording tape cartridges TC or more, or may be formed with a sized capable of storing four recording tape cartridges TC or fewer.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-185683 | Sep 2015 | JP | national |
