Box Closing Insert

Abstract

A plastic box closure device for releasably engaging the flaps of a box has a lower element with portions extending in a first plane, and an upper element connected to the lower element by a web which spaces the two elements apart to receive parts of the container flaps. The upper element may be concaved such that the outer portions are biased against the flaps received in the device. The upper element may alternatively have downwardly extending resilient fins to engage the flaps within the device. The device is preferably constructed to be fabricated in a plastic or similar extrusion process.

1 . A plastic box closure device for releasably engaging a first and a second flap of a box in a closed configuration, the device comprising:
 a lower element having portions which extend generally in a first plane;   an upper element spaced above the lower element; and   a web which extends between the lower element and the upper element, the upper element being spaced by the web from the lower element to receive portions of the first and second flap of the box therebetween, wherein the upper element has a first part which extends outwardly in a first direction from the web along a first line of attachment which is spaced a first distance from the lower element, wherein the first part has an outer edge which is spaced from the lower element a distance less than the first distance, and wherein the upper element has a second part which extends from the web in a second direction from the web along a second line of attachment which is spaced from the lower element a second distance, and wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction, and wherein the second part has an outer edge which is spaced from the lower element a distance less than the second distance, the first part and the second part being continuous and resilient to be biased against the portions of the box first flap and second flap received between the upper element and the lower element.   
     
     
         2 . The box closure device of  claim 1  wherein the upper element first part is concave opening towards the lower element. 
     
     
         3 . The box closure device of  claim 2  wherein the upper element second part is concave opening towards the lower element. 
     
     
         4 . The box closure device of  claim 1  wherein the distance between the upper element first part outer edge and the upper element second part outer edge measured perpendicular to the web is less than the width of the lower element measured perpendicular to the web. 
     
     
         5 . The box closure device of  claim 1  wherein the upper element has a perimeter which includes the first part outer edge and the second part outer edge, and wherein the perimeter has radiused corners with a radius of one quarter inch or greater. 
     
     
         6 . A box closure device for releasably engaging a first and a second flap of a box in a closed configuration, the device comprising:
 a lower element having portions which extend generally in a first plane;   a concave curved upper element which opens towards the lower element; and   a web which extends between the lower element and the upper element and spaces the upper element from the lower element, the upper element having outer portions which are disposed to be biased against the portions of the box first flap and second flap received between the upper element and the lower element.   
     
     
         7 . The box closure device of  claim 6  wherein the device is fabricated of plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The box closure device of  claim 7  wherein the plastic material is formed in an extrusion process. 
     
     
         9 . A box closure device for releasably engaging a first and a second flap of a box in a closed configuration, the device comprising:
 an upper element having portions which extend generally in a first plane;   a lower element spaced below the upper element; and   a web which extends between the lower element and the upper element, the upper element being spaced by the web from the lower element to receive portions of the first and second flap of the box therebetween; and   a plurality of fins which extend from the lower element towards the upper element.   
     
     
         10 . The box closure device of  claim 9  wherein the device is extruded from plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The box closure device of  claim 9  wherein the upper element is substantially parallel to the lower element. 
     
     
         12 . The box closure device of  claim 9  wherein the fins define a plurality of fingers which extend from the lower element at an angle of about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The box closure device of  claim 9  wherein the fins define a plurality of fingers which extend from the lower element at an angle of about 60 degrees.