Packaging box with closure flap lock

Abstract

A packaging box has four side walls and at least one closure flap that is pivotably joined to one side wall. The packaging box has a tuck-in tab, which can be introduced in the vicinity of the opposite side wall into an inner chamber of the box. The packaging box has an inner partition parallel to two of the side walls. A hook-like projection is provided on the partition. Upon the introduction of the tuck-in tab into the inner chamber during the closing of the closure flap, the hook-like projection automatically engages a through opening in the tuck-in tab and thereafter keeps the closure flap firmly in the closed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging box made of a folded blank of cardboard, having
 two spaced apart first side walls on opposed first sides of the box,   two spaced apart second side walls on opposed second sides of the box and joining the two first side walls,   at least one closure flap for closing an inner chamber defined by the first and second side walls on a third side of the box, which closure flap is pivotably joined to one of the two first side walls and has a tuck-in tab that can be introduced into the inner chamber in the vicinity of the other one of the two first side walls, and   an inner partition spaced apart from and in parallel to the second side walls, wherein a hook-like projection on the partition, during the closing of the closure flap and the introduction of the tuck-in tab into the inner chamber, automatically enters a through opening in the tuck-in tab, engages the tuck-in tab and keeps the closure flap in a locked state.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is stamped out of the tuck-in tab and is surrounded on all sides by the tuck-in tab or by the tuck-in tab and the remainder of the closure flap. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the hook-like projection defines a plane that is parallel to the partition and to the second side walls, which plane is perpendicular to a plane defined by the tuck-in tab. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the hook-like projection is stamped out of the partition. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the hook-like projection protrudes into a recess, which is stamped out from the partition, is open toward the closure flap and receives the tuck-in tab when the closure flap is closed. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging box of  claim 5 , wherein the recess is defined at least partially by the other one of the two first side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging box of  claim 5 , wherein the recess, on its side facing toward the closure flap, tapers in the direction of motion of the tuck-in tab during its introduction into the inner chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging box of  claim 5 , wherein in the direction of motion of the tuck-in tab during its introduction into the inner chamber the recess widens on the far side of the projection. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging box of  claim 5 , wherein in the direction of motion of the tuck-in tab during its introduction into the inner chamber the recess is defined on the far side of the projection by at least one peripheral edge, which deflects a front edge of the tuck-in tab in the direction of the projection, so that the projection automatically enters into the opening in the tuck-in tab. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the opening extends as far as to a fold line between the tuck-in tab and a remainder of the closure flap, or as far as into the vicinity of the fold line. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the opening has a U-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the box can be folded flat, a state in which all the side walls, the partition and the at least one closure flap are oriented generally parallel to one another, and in which the hook-like projection and the opening are laterally offset from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the box is made of a single blank of cardboard, and wherein the hook-like projection and the opening are stamped out of the single blank. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein an auto bottom is located on the side of the box opposite from the closure flap. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein a further closure flap is located on the side of the box opposite from the closure flap.