AU2010202016A1 - A container and blank - Google Patents

Abstract

- 25 The present invention relates to a container and blank for items such as eggs. The container includes a side wall 5 that extends the height of the container and a platform located between a base of the container and an upper rim. The platform has formations for receiving items including eggs such as openings in the platform and flanges joined to the platform at curved lines. In use, the flanges can 10 flex depending on the weight and shape of the item received by the formations. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 1805/10 aNN ....... ... . .. 0)P

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: AMCOR LIMITED Invention Title: A CONTAINER AND BLANK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 A CONTAINER AND BLANK FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a container for items such as eggs and a blank for the manufacture thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Historically containers, or more precisely, cartons for items such as eggs comprise a conventional cardboard rectangular box and a cardboard grid that was manually inserted into the box to provide compartments that separated the items. An improved carton that is now 15 widely used in supermarkets and grocery stores is in the form of a moulded paper pulp carton that is used to carry eggs. The moulded carton comprises a tray and an upper lid. The tray has 6 or 12 cups in which the eggs sit with the pointed end of the egg facing upwards and the more 20 rounded end of the egg facing downward. Ordinarily, the eggs protrude above the cups of the tray. The lid of the pre-moulded carton is hinged to the back of the tray and the front of the tray includes a closure flap having protruding formations. The protruding formations can be 25 received by openings in the lid for latching the lid closed. During production and harvesting, eggs are graded and packaged based on weight. However, eggs graded according 30 to weight can have substantially different shapes. For instance, one may be practically spherical, whereas the other may be highly elongated. One of the difficulties of the pre-moulded carton is that 35 the cups are adapted for receiving only a relatively narrow range of egg sizes and may not be capable of housing eggs of the same weight. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 3 Another problem with the pre-moulded carton is that in the event that the closure is inadvertently unlatched, the lid can open and the eggs containing in the carton can be 5 easily spilt. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative container for items such as eggs and a blank for the manufacture of the container. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container for items such as eggs, the container includes: 15 a base; a side wall extending upward from the base; and a platform located above the base, the platform including a plurality of formations for receiving an item, wherein the base, side wall, platform and 20 formations are formed from a single piece of sheet material that has been assembled to form the container. In an embodiment, the single sheet of material is folded to form the container. 25 In an embodiment, the formations are cradle formations having an opening in the platform for receiving an item and one or more flange that extends downward from the opening, the flange capable of moving in response to 30 weight of an item resting on the flange so as to dampen or reduce relative movement between the egg and the platform. The relative movement between the item and the flange may be caused by any sudden movement or a change in direction 35 of movement of the item or container. In an embodiment, at least one of the cradle formations 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 includes multiple flanges and the flanges are joined to the platform along a curved line, and suitably the curved line may be any one or a combination of is pre-formed crease, fold line, perforation or line of weakness. 5 In an embodiment, at least one, and suitably all of the cradle formations include two pairs of the flanges. The pairs of flanges may be oppositely disposed about the openings. In use, the flanges flex or deform away from 10 each other in response to the weight of the item. In an embodiment, the flanges are joined to the platform at a curved line, suitably a curved fold line. 15 In an embodiment, the side wall of the container extends above the items contained in the container, and an upper rim extends about an upper edge of the side wall on which a lid, suitably a flat panel lid can be seated. One of the purposes of the upper rim is that it helps to contain 20 an item that has been dislodged from a cradle formation while the lid is opened. In an embodiment, the upper rim has an inner edge profile that registers with an outer perimeter of the openings of 25 the platform without overhanging the openings. In an embodiment, the upper rim extends inwardly about an upper edge of the side wall and overhangs at least part of the platform, the rim providing either one or a 30 combination of: i) a surface on which the a lid can be seated, or 35 ii) a formation that further retains the items in the container when dislodged from one of the cradle formations. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 5 In an embodiment, the platform is attached to two opposite inner faces of the side wall. Suitably, the platform is attached to only two opposite inner faces of the side wall 5 and, even more suitably, the platform is attached to inner faces of the back and front panels of the side wall only. In an embodiment, the container includes a closure for releasably locking the lid in the closed position. 10 In an embodiment, the container further includes a lid that is hinged at the back of the container and a closure for releasably locking a lid, the closure includes one or more tabs that are received by openings and the closure is 15 characterised by either: i) the lid having an upper panel and a skirt attached to the upper panel, and when the lid is closed, the skirt extends over upper 20 portions of a front panel of the side wall and at least one end panel of the side wall of the container, and one or more tabs of the closure are located at, or adjacent to an upper edge of the front panel of the 25 container, and openings that receive the tabs are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the lid and the skirt that extends from the lid; or 30 ii) the lid having an upper panel, a flap attached to the upper panel and one or more tab extending the flap, and the tab is received by a opening located in a front panel of the side wall, or at a junction 35 between the front panel and the base of the container. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18105/10 - 6 In an embodiment, the closure includes one or more tabs that are received by openings. In one embodiment, the lid has an upper panel and a skirt 5 attached to the upper panel, and when the lid is closed the skirt extends over upper portions of a front panel of the side wall and at least one end panel of the side wall and the closure includes tabs that are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the front panel of the 10 side wall and the upper rim of the container, and openings that receive the tabs to releasably lock the lid in a closed position are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the upper panel lid and the skirt of the lid. 15 In another embodiment, the lid has an upper panel, a flap attached to the panel and a tab extending the flap, and the tab is received by an opening located in either: i) the front panel of the side wall, or ii) at a junction between the front panel and the base of the container. 20 In an embodiment, any two or more features of the container may be made from a single piece of sheet material, and suitably, all features are formed from a single piece of sheet material. The sheet material may 25 comprise any material such as plastics, polymeric materials, metallic materials, paper pulp based materials and laminated materials including laminates of paper pulp based materials and polymeric materials. 30 In an embodiment, any one or a combination of the components of the container, including all components of the container are formed from a single piece of pulp based material. 35 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the term "single piece of paper pulp material" embraces any form of sheet, paper, cardboard or corrugated board 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 -7 including cardboard and corrugated cardboard comprising two or more laminated layers. In an embodiment, one or more of the cradle formations are 5 characterised by a single flange extending about at least part of the opening, and suitably around the opening. Even more suitably, the flange may be in the form of a skirt that can flex or flare circumferentially outwardly. 10 In an embodiment, the lid includes a window for observing the contents of the container. Suitably, the window includes a cut out in the lid and a transparent polymeric material is located over the cut out. 15 In an embodiment, the container is used to carry eggs. In an embodiment, the container is used to carry chocolate eggs or other confectionery items. 20 In an embodiment, the container is used to carry items that are fragile. The present invention relates to a container for items such as eggs, the container includes: 25 a base; a side wall extending upward from the base; a platform located above the base, the platform including a plurality of cradle formations that have an opening for receiving an item and one or more flange that 30 extends downward from the opening, the flange capable of moving in response to weight of an item resting on the flange and dampen or reduce relative movement between the item and the platform. 35 The container described in the paragraph above may also include any one or a combination of the features described herein including, but by no means limited to: 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18105/10 -8 e side walls of the container extending above the platform and having an upper rim; and e a lid that is hinged to the back of the container. 5 In an embodiment, in an addition to the base, side wall, platform and cradle formation, suitably all features of the container described herein may be made from a single piece of material. 10 The present invention also relates to a blank comprising a single piece of pulp material that can be assembled into a container for items such as eggs, the blank includes: a base panel; at least four side panels, two of which are 15 joined to the base panel along fold lines and can be folded to make side walls extending upwardly from the base panel; a platform panel that, when the blank is assembled into the container is located above the base 20 panel, the platform panel including a plurality of openings for receiving items. In an embodiment one or more flange that extends down, or into the opening, the flange capable of moving in response 25 to weight of an item resting on the flange so as to dampen or reduce relative movement between the item and the platform. In an embodiment, the blank includes a rim forming panel 30 having an outer peripheral section and a central cut out so that when the blank is assembled in a container, the peripheral section does not overhang the openings of the platform panel. Suitably, the rim forming panel is joined to one of the side panels that forms a side wall at the 35 front of the container when the blank is assembled into the container. Suitably, a spacing panel interconnects the platform panel and the rim forming panel and when 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 9 assembled, the spacing panel spaces the platform panel below the upper rim forming panel. In an embodiment, the blank includes a lid panel. 5 Suitably, the lid panel is joined to one of the side panels that form a side wall at the back of the container when the blank is assembled into a container. The lid panel may have a cut out therein for viewing content of the container made from the blank. A transparent 10 polymeric material may be located over the cut out. In one embodiment, the blank includes front and end flaps joined to the lid panel by fold lines, the front and end flaps can be folded laterally to the lid panel and fixed 15 relative thereto to form a skirt formation that can extend over upper portions of the side panels that form a front and end side wall of the container assembled from the blank. 20 Two alternative embodiments of a closure for locking the lid in a closed position will now be described. In one embodiment, the blank includes tabs located at, or adjacent to, a junction between a side panel that forms a front panel of the assembled container and the rim forming 25 panel, and openings that receive the tabs to lock the lid in a closed position are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the lid panel and the front flap that forms part of the skirt formation. 30 In an alternative embodiment, the blank includes a front flap joined to the lid panel by a fold line, the front flap covers part of one of the side panels that form a front side wall when the blank is assembled in the container, and a tab extends from the flap which is 35 received by an opening located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the base panel and the side panel that forms the front side wall when the blank is assembled into 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 10 the container. The blank may also include any one or a combination of the features of the container described herein. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 10 Figure la is a perspective view of a container in the form of a carton according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carton being shown with an opened lid; Figures lb to 1d are top, back and end views 15 respectively of the carton shown in Figure la; Figure le is a representation of a blank for manufacturing the carton shown in Figures la to 1d; Figure if is a cross-sectional view of a part of the carton shown in Figure la in which an item is located 20 in the carton; Figure 2a is a perspective view of a carton having an opened lid according to another preferred embodiment of the invention; Figures 2b to 2d are top, front and end views 25 respectively of the carton shown in Figure 2a; Figure 2e is a representation of a blank for manufacturing the carton shown in Figures 2a to 2d; Figure 3a is a perspective view of a carton having an opened lid according to yet another preferred 30 embodiment of the invention; Figures 3b to 3d are top, back and end views respectively of the carton shown in Figure 3a; Figure 3e is a representation of a blank for manufacturing the carton shown in Figures 3a to 3d; 35 Figure 4a is a perspective view of a carton having an opened lid according to still yet another embodiment; and 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 11 Figure 4b is a representation of a blank for manufacturing the carton shown in Figure 4a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 5 Four separate embodiments of a carton and four embodiments of blanks for the manufacture thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures. The embodiments include a number of features that are the same 10 or substantially the same, and as a matter of the convenience, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same, or substantially, the same features in the Figures. 15 Figures la to le illustrate a preferred embodiment of a carton of the invention. The carton 20 includes a flat base 10, four side panels 1la to lid forming a side wall that extends upward from the base 10 and a lid 12 that is hinged to an upper edge 13 of a back panel lid of the 20 carton. The side panels 11a to 11d extend over the height of the carton 20 and have an upper edge at which a rim formation 14 extends inwardly. The rim 14 is substantially parallel to the base 10 and defines a flat surface in which the lid 12 can be seated when hinged 25 closed. In addition, a platform 15 inside the carton is located at a space above the base 10. The platform has a plurality of the cradle formations 16 arranged in rows and ranks for 30 receiving an item. Each cradle formation 16 includes an opening that is formed in the platform 15 and two pairs of flanges 17 that are moveable downwardly from a perimeter of the openings. The pairs of flanges 17 are separated by a spacing and are oppositely disposed to each other about 35 the openings in the platform 15. The flanges 17a, 17b of each pair are located in side-by-side relationship and are only separated by a cut line, represented by dashed lines 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 12 in Figures lb. As can be seen in Figures lb and le, the openings of the platform 15 have a curved outer perimeter, suitably a 5 circular perimeter, and the pairs of flanges 17a, 17b extend inwardly from the perimeter thereof along curved fold lines 18. The curved fold lines 18 make the flanges 17 resiliently moveable or flexible relative to the platform 15. As can be seen in Figure if, when an item is 10 positioned in the cradle formation, the weight of the item can flex the flanges 17 downwardly and depending on the relative shape of the item and the size of the opening, the item can contact the outer perimeter of the opening. However, suitably the flanges 17 can provide adequate 15 support to the item so that even if the item has a diameter equal to, or greater than the diameter of the opening, the item will be prevented from engaging the perimeter of the opening. In other words, the flanges 17 provide a dampening mechanism that can cushion the item 20 against sudden movement or loads on the carton and, thereby reduce relative movement between the item and the platform 15. In addition, the platform 15 is attached to inside faces 25 of the rear panel 11d and front panel 11c of the side wall. The platform 15 is unattached to inside faces of ends panels 11a, 11b of the side wall. The platform 15 is, therefore, also able to flex relative to the base 10 and/or side panels 11 in response to sudden movement or 30 loads placed in the carton, thereby providing an additional means for cushioning items in the carton against sudden movement or loads on the carton. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated in the 35 Figures, it is possible that the platform may have support formations, such as support posts between the platform 15 and the base 10. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18105/10 - 13 The deformable and flexible flanges 17 of each opening enable items of various sizes to be housed below the rim formation 14 of the carton. In the situation in which the 5 lid is inadvertently opened, items in the carton, even if dislodged from a cradle formation can still be housed inside the side panels 11. In comparison, the conventional carton that has a pre-moulded paper pulp structure has a limited range of item sizes and comprises 10 a tray of cups having an upper lid hinged thereto and in the event that the carton inadvertently opens, items in the conventional carton can readily fall from the carton. With reference to the Figures, the upper rim 14 of the 15 carton 20 extends about the upper edge of the side panels and defines an entrance to the platform 15. As can best be seen in Figure 1b, an inner edge of the rim 14 is profiled or contoured to register with the outer perimeter of the openings so that the rim 14 does not overhang the 20 openings of the platform 15. As can best be seen in Figure 1b, the rim 14 protrudes further inward of the side panels than the spacing to which the perimeter is spaced from the openings. An advantage of the rim formation 14 is that it forms for items in the carton an outer 25 supporting ring that can contact the items and assist in preventing the items from falling out of the carton when the lid 12 is inadvertently opened. The lid 12 of the carton 20 comprises a rectangular panel 30 that covers the rim formation 14 and forms an upper face of the carton 20 when closed. The lid 12 includes a triangular closure panel 19 that extends from an upper rear edge 13 of the carton 20 and a closure tongue 21 at the extremity of the triangular panel 20 is received by a 35 slot 22 at a junction between the base wall 10 and the front panel lc for securing the lid 12 and closure flap 19 in a closed position. 2281261_1 (GHMaters) 18/05/10 - 14 A blank 30 that can be cut from a single integrally formed piece of paper, cardboard or corrugated board is shown in Figure le for manufacturing the carton shown in Figures la 5 to ld. The blank 30 includes a central base panel 10 for forming the base of the carton, two front and back panels lc and lid for forming the front and back side walls which are joined to right and left opposite edges respectively of the base panel 10 by fold lines. A 10 further top panel 12 extends from the rear panel lid which forms the lid 12 of the carton 30. A triangular panel 19 extends from the top panel 12 and includes a closure tongue 21 that is received by a slot 22 formed between the front and panels lc and 10 respectively. A rim forming 15 panel 14 extends from the front panel lc and has an internal cut out having a shaped profile. End flaps 11a and lb have gluing strips 32 extending from the top and bottom of the rim formation panel 14 for forming the end side panels of the carton. Additional gluing flaps 33 20 also extend from the top and bottom edges of the end panels lc and l1d which are located on the inside of the end panels 11a and lb when the blank is assembled. As can be seen, the width of the base panel 10, the lid panel 12 and the rim forming panel 14 each have substantially 25 the same width so that when the blank is made into a carton, the end view (see Figure 1d) of the carton is essentially rectangular. In contrast, the base panel 10 has a smaller length than the lid panel 12 and the rim panel 14 so that when the blank is folded into the carton, 30 the end walls of the panel taper from the upper edge of the carton to the base as shown in Figure 1c. The blank includes a support structure for items that is located internally of the carton made from the blank. The 35 support structure includes a platform panel 15 joined by a fold line to a spacing panel 35 that is joined to the rim forming panel 14. When the blank is folded into a carton, 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 15 the spacing panel 35 extends downwardly adjacent to an inside face of the upper portion of the back panel lid. A gluing flap 36 extends from the opposite side of the platform panel 15 and glued to an inside face of the front 5 panel l1c to locate the platform 15 substantially horizontally or parallel to the base panel 10. The platform panel 10 includes two rows and six ranks of openings. Each opening has a substantially circular perimeter, as shown in dotted line, and each opening has 10 two pairs of flanges 17 having a curved side and two straight sides. Each pair of the flanges 17 is oppositely disposed relative to each other about the opening and the flanges 17 are separated by a cut out. The gaps between each pair of the flanges 17 may be removed during cutting 15 of the blank or alternatively, a supporting post (not shown in the Figures) may be made from the cardboard between the pairs of the flanges 17 which can be folded downward and glued to an inside face of the base 10 of the carton 30 when assembled. 20 As can be seen in Figure le, the spacing panel 35 and platform panel 15 are smaller in length than the rim forming panel 14. This is required on account of the end panels 11a and lb tapering inwardly from an upper edge to 25 the base 10 of the carton, as can be seen in Figure 1c. Ends of the platform panel 15 do not require gluing flaps for gluing to an inside of the end panels 11a and 11b, although gluing panels can be provided. 30 Figures 2a to 2e illustrate a second embodiment of a carton 20 and blank 30. The second embodiment includes a number of features in common with the embodiment shown in Figures la to le. For the purpose of describing the second embodiment, the following description focuses on 35 the main differences between the features of the second embodiment and those of the embodiment shown in Figures la and le. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 16 With reference to Figure 2e, one of the differentiating features when compared to Figure le, is that the base panel 10 of Figure 2e has the same length as the rim 5 forming panel 14. As a result, when the blank 30 is assembled, the end wall are substantially vertical, as shown in Figure 2c, as opposed to being tapered inwardly to the base as in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure le. 10 Another differentiating feature of the second embodiment is that the top wall panel 12 for forming the lid includes a front and end skirts that extend over the front and end wall of the carton. Specifically, as can be seen in 15 Figure 2e, the front and end skirt each are formed by a double structure comprising an outer panel 19a that forms the outer face of the front and end skirt and an inner flap 19b having a glue tab 37. The outer panels 19a are joined to the top panel 12 by fold lines and the inner 20 flaps 19b extending from the outer panels. Gussets 38 interconnect the outer panels 19a are folded inwardly during assembly of the carton. In addition, the inner flaps 19b are folded inwardly and the glue tabs 37 fixed to an inside face of the lid panel 12. To accommodate the 25 inner flaps 19b, the length and width of the top panel 12 is slightly larger than the length and width of the base panel 10. A closure including two cut outs 22 are provided at the 30 junction between the inner flap 19a and glue tabs 37; see figure 2e. The cut outs 22 receive short tabs 21 that protrude from the edge at the junction of the side panel 11c forming the front side wall and the rim formation 14. The shirt tabs can best be seen in Figures 2a and 2e. 35 Figures 3a to 3e illustrate a third embodiment of a carton 20 and blank 30. The third embodiment includes a number 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 17 of features in common with the embodiment shown in Figures la to le and the following description focuses on the main differences between the features of the third embodiment and those of the embodiment shown in Figures la and le. 5 With reference to Figure 3e, the base panel 10 has the same length as the rim forming panel 14. As a result, when the blank 30 is assembled, the carton 20 is essentially rectangular which is best seen in Figures 3c 10 and 3d. In addition, the base panel 10 has end flaps 11a which overlap with the front and rear wall flaps to form end walls as shown in Figure 3d. The lid panel 12 also includes a front 19b and end shirt 15 panels 19a respectively that are glued together by flaps 38. The end skirts 19a taper from front to the back of the carton 20. Although not shown in the Figures, cut outs are also formed at the junction between the front skirt panel 19b and the lid panel 12. The cut outs 20 receive the short tabs 21 formed at the junction between the front side wall 11c and the rim forming panel 14 so as to form a clip lock closure for holding the lid panel 12 in a closed position. 25 Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a fourth embodiment of a carton 20 and blank 30 of the present invention. The fourth embodiment includes a number of features in common with the embodiment shown in Figures la to le. The following description focuses on the main differences 30 between the features of the fourth second embodiment and those of the embodiment shown in Figures la and le. With reference to Figure 4b, the base panel 10 has the same length as the rim forming panel. As a result, when 35 the blank is assembled, the carton is essentially rectangular. In addition, the base panel 10 has end flaps 11a and lb which overlap with the front and rear wall 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18105/10 - 18 flaps to form end walls. The lid panel 12 also includes a front flap 19 having a tongue 21 that is received by a slot 22 in the front panel 5 of the side wall. A platform 15 has 3 rows and 4 ranks of cradle formations for receiving items. The cradle formations have the same structure as the embodiments described above. 10 Another differentiating of the fourth embodiment is that the rim forming panel 14 has a linear inner edge 40 as compared to the profiled inner edge of the first, second and third embodiments. 15 It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 20 For example, the lid of the carton or the top panel of the blank for forming the lid may include a cut out in the cardboard through which the contents of the carton can be viewed. A transparent or translucent plastic sheet may be fixed in positioned on the cut out. 25 The embodiments of the invention described above are preferably made from a single piece of paper or cardboard. However, it will be appreciated that the container and blank may be made from any one or a combination of 30 polymeric materials, paper pulp materials and metallic materials including laminates thereof. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10

Claims (27)

1. A container for items such as eggs, the container including: 5 a base; a side wall extending upward from the base; and a platform located above the base, the platform including a plurality of formations for receiving an item, wherein the base, side wall, platform and 10 formations are formed from a single piece of sheet material that has been assembled to form the container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the formations have an opening in the platform for receiving 15 an item and one or more flange that extends downward from the opening, the flange capable of moving in response to weight of an item resting on the flange so as to dampen or reduce relative movement between the item and the platform. 20

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the formations includes multiple flanges and the flanges are joined to the platform along a curved fold line. 25

4. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all of the formations include two pairs of the flanges.

5. The container according to any one of the preceding 30 claims, wherein the side wall of the container extends above items contained in the container, and an upper rim extends about an upper edge of the side wall on which a lid can sit. 35

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the upper rim overhangs at least part of the platform and includes an inner edge profile that registers with an outer 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 20 perimeter of the openings of the platform without overhanging the openings.

7. The container according to any one claims 1 to 6, 5 wherein the platform is attached to two opposite inner faces of the side wall.

8. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a lid that is 10 hinged at the back of the container and a closure for releasably locking a lid in a closed position.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the lid has an upper panel and a skirt attached to the upper panel, 15 and when the lid is closed the skirt extends over upper portions of a front panel of the side wall and at least one end panel of the side wall, and the closure includes tabs that are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the front panel of the side wall and the upper rim 20 of the container, and openings that receive the tabs to releasably lock the lid in a closed position are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the upper panel and the skirt of the lid. 25

10. The container according to claim 8, wherein the lid has an upper panel, a flap attached to the upper panel and a tab extending the flap, and the tab is received by an opening located in either: i) a front panel of the side wall, or ii) at a junction between the front panel of the 30 side wall and the base of the container.

11. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is folded from a single piece of sheet material. 35

12. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the single piece of sheet material from 2281261_1 (GHMatlers) 18/05/10 - 21 which the container is folded includes any one or a combination of the following: a metallic material, a polymeric material and a paper pulp material or a combination thereof including laminates thereof. 5

13. A blank in the form of an integrally formed single piece of sheet material that can be assembled into a container for items, the blank includes: a base panel; 10 at least four side panels, two of which are joined to the base panel along fold lines and can be folded to make side walls extending upwardly from the base panel; a platform panel that, when the blank is 15 assembled into the container is located above the base panel, and the platform panel has a series of formations openings for receiving items.

14. The blank according to claim 13, wherein one or more 20 flange extends into, or from each opening, and the flange is capable of moving in response to weight of an item resting on the flange so as to dampen or reduce relative movement between the item and the platform. 25

15. The blank according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the platform panel is connected to one of the side wall panels via one or more other panels.

16. The blank according to any one of claims 13 to 15, 30 wherein the blank includes a rim forming panel that is connected to one of the side panels that forms a side wall at the front of the container when the blank is assembled, the rim forming panel having an outer peripheral section and a central cut out so that when the blank is assembled 35 in a container, the peripheral section does not overhang the openings of the platform panel. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18105/10 - 22

17. The blank according to claim any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein a spacing panel interconnects the platform panel and the rim forming panel and when assembled, the spacing panel spaces the platform panel below the upper 5 rim forming panel.

18. The blank according to any one of claims 13 to 17 further including a lid panel that is joined to one of the side panels that form a side wall at a back of the 10 container when the blank is assembled into a container.

19. The blank according to claim 18, wherein the blank includes front and end flaps joined to the lid panel by fold lines, the front and end flaps can be folded 15 laterally to the lid panel and fixed relative thereto to form a skirt formation that can extend over upper portions of the side panels that form a front and end side wall of the container assembled from the blank.

20 20. The blank according to claim 19, wherein the blank includes tabs located at, or adjacent to, a junction between a side panel that forms a front panel of the assembled container and the rim forming panel, and openings that receive the tabs to lock the lid in a closed 25 position are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the lid panel and the front flap that forms part of the skirt formation.

21. The blank according to claim 18, wherein the blank 30 includes a front flap joined to the lid panel by a fold line, the front flap covers part of one of the side panels that form a front side wall when the blank is assembled in the container, and a tab extends from the flap which is received by an opening located at, or adjacent to, a 35 junction between the base panel and the side panel that forms the front panel of the side wall when the blank is assembled into the container. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 23

22. A container for items such as eggs including: a base; a side wall extending upward from the base; 5 a platform located above the base, the platform including a plurality of cradle formations that have an opening for receiving an item and one or more flange that extends downward from the opening, the flange capable of moving in response to weight of an item resting on the 10 flange so as to dampen or reduce relative movement between the item and the platform.

23. The container according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the cradle formations includes multiple flanges and 15 the flanges are joined to the platform along a curved line.

24. The container according to claim 22 or 23, wherein an upper rim extends inwardly about an upper edge of the side 20 wall and overhangs at least part of the platform, the rim providing either one or a combination of: a surface on which the a lid can be seated, or 25 a formation that further retains items in the container when dislodged from one of the cradle formations.

25. The container according to any one of claims 22 to 24, 30 further including a lid that is hinged at the back of the container and a closure for releasably locking a lid, the closure includes one or more tabs that are received by openings and the closure is characterised by either: 35 the lid having an upper panel and a skirt attached to the upper panel, and when the lid is closed, the skirt extends over upper portions of 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10 - 24 a front panel of the side wall and at least one end panel of the side wall of the container, and one or more tabs of the closure are located at, or adjacent to an upper edge of the front panel 5 of the container, and openings that receive the tabs are located at, or adjacent to, a junction between the lid and the skirt that extends from the lid; or 10 the lid having an upper panel, a flap attached to the upper panel and one or more tab extending the flap, and the tab is received by a opening located in a front panel of the side wall, or at a junction between the front panel and the base 15 of the container.

26. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is used to carry eggs. 20

27. The container according to of claim 1 to 25, wherein the container is used to carry chocolate eggs or other confectionery items. 2281261_1 (GHMatters) 18/05/10