Retainer for Box Lid

Abstract

The Retainer presses the flaps of a cardboard box against one another to form a lid. The Retainer engages three flaps of the box at two locations. Slots in devices of the previous state of the art form a lid by constraining only two flaps near the plane of the box top. By engaging more flaps, the closure achieved by the Retainer is stronger than the closure achieved by devices of the previous state of the art. One embodiment of the Retainer is formed by the bending of a single length of wire.

1 . What is claimed is a retainer for holding the flaps of a cardboard box closed comprising
 a. a foot bearing on the outer surfaces of two side flaps of said cardboard box and urging said side flaps inward against an end flap and   b. a prong bearing on the inner surface of said end flap of said cardboard box and urging said end flap outward against two said side flaps and   c. a spacer connecting said foot and said prong and holding them in positions to press together said side flaps and said end flap.   
     
     
         2 . The retainer of  claim 1  wherein the foot, prong, and spacer are formed by bending a single length of wire.