AU2019261799A1

AU2019261799A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: AU2019261799A1
Application number: AU2019261799A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Clint Paul Moka
Original assignee: Visy R&D Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Visy R&D Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-03
Filing date: 2019-11-08
Publication date: 2020-06-18

Abstract

C:\Interwoen\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\19510050 _.doc-6/1l/2019 - 13 A container, including four side panels coupled together in series such that first and 5 third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed; a glue flap coupling the first and fourth side panels together; a plurality of top flaps coupled to top end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a lid of the container; and a plurality of bottom flaps coupled to bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps 10 overlap so as to form a base of the container, wherein a first pair of opposed top flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from top end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the top end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, top surfaces of the offset corners being substantially coplanar with top surfaces of the other side panels; and 15 wherein a first pair of opposed bottom flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from bottom end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the bottom end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, bottom surfaces of the offset corners being coplanar with bottom surfaces of the other side panels. 28 36 24 26 28 36 16d 10 16c 16b 30 '- 22 12b 26 12c Figure 1

Description

CONTAINER

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container.

Background of the Invention

Corrugated boxes made of thick board grades often cannot be folded in a conventional 10 manner where all 4 folds, of the base or top, are in the same plane. With thick board grades, folding over the flaps in the same level plane usually results in a box that is not very square. Boxes for bag-in-box applications usually demand a deliberately designed strong and sturdy box, so that thick board grades are usually used.

Current bag in box designs often incorporate offset scores to compensate for the thickness of the flaps. This allows the flaps to sit more squarely on the box when folded. Without the offsets the flaps can cause a 'rounding effect' on both the top an bottom of the box. This can cause an issue with the box 'rocking' on its base which in turn can cause an issue with stability in the pallet stack. The offset flaps also reduce 20 the amount of 'memory' in the folding of the flaps which can negatively impact the application of tape and or glue to close the flaps.

Offset flaps are typically required for machine erected containers (also referred to as shippers and boxes). Offsetting the flaps creates a disadvantage with the top load 25 performance as two of the walls are higher than the adjacent walls. This causes the higher walls to take load first and then the lower walls second. This results in the four walls taking load unevenly which increases the risk of premature failure when under load.

It is known that the thickness of the walls (also referred to as side panels) can be increased in order to increase the strength. The above described problem has also been solved by adding extra components such as an internal sleeve to assist with the vertical stack load. Both solutions have issues with over use of materials and make the boxes more difficult to handle due to increased weight. Both examples also provide an increase in the cost of the packaging. Further, the addition of the internal

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-2sleeve adds complexity and time to assemble the product.

It is generally desirable to improve the top load strength of a box for vertical stacking stability and to maintain quality and integrity of the box and contents. It is also 5 desirable to reduce the board weight and strength required to maintain a particular top load.

It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a container including:

(a) four side panels coupled together in series such that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed;

(b) a glue flap coupling the first and fourth side panels together;

(c) a plurality of top flaps coupled to top end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a lid of the container; and (d) a plurality of bottom flaps coupled to bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a base of the container, wherein a first pair of opposed top flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from top end sections of the side panels, the bridging 25 members being disposed centrally on the top end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, top surfaces of the offset corners being substantially coplanar with top surfaces of the other side panels; and wherein a first pair of opposed bottom flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from bottom end sections of the side panels, the 30 bridging members being disposed centrally on the bottom end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, bottom surfaces of the offset corners being coplanar with bottom surfaces of the other side panels.

Preferably, a second pair of opposed top flaps overlie the first pair of opposed top 35 flaps and are coplanar with top surfaces of the offset corners and wherein a second

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-3pair of opposed bottom flaps overlie the first pair of opposed bottom flaps and are coplanar with bottom surfaces of the offset corners.

Preferably, the bridging members are folded inwardly over respective top and bottom 5 hinges.

Preferably, the top hinges are offset from top surfaces of respective offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed top flaps and the bottom hinges are offset from bottom surfaces of respective offset corners by at least a thickness of the 10 second pair of opposed bottom flaps.

The present invention also provides a blank for forming a container, including:

(a) four side panels coupled together in series;

(b) a glue flap for coupling the first and fourth side panels together so that first 15 and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series;

(c) a plurality of top flaps coupled to top end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps are arrangable to form a lid of the container; and (d) a plurality of bottom flaps coupled to bottom end sections of each one of said 20 side panels, wherein the flaps are arrangable to form a base of the container, wherein a first pair of opposed top flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from top end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the top end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, top surfaces of the offset corners being substantially 25 coplanar with top surfaces of the other side panels when the container is assembled;

and wherein a first pair of opposed bottom flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from bottom end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the bottom end sections so as to define 30 offset corners on the side panels, bottom surfaces of the offset corners being coplanar with bottom surfaces of the other side panels when the container is assembled.

Preferably, a second pair of opposed top flaps are arrangable to overlie the first pair of opposed top flaps and are coplanar with top surfaces of the offset corners and wherein 35 a second pair of opposed bottom flaps are arrangable to overlie the first pair of

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-4opposed bottom flaps and are coplanar with bottom surfaces of the offset corners.

Preferably, the bridging members are foldable inwardly over respective top and bottom hinges.

Preferably, the top hinges are offset from top surfaces of respective offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed top flaps and the bottom hinges are offset from bottom surfaces of respective offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed bottom flaps.

The above described container advantageously improves the top load strength of a box for vertical stacking stability and to maintain quality and integrity of the box and contents. The container preferably reduces the board weight and strength required to maintain a particular top load.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a back perspective view of a container;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of section A of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a right side view of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top view of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the container shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a blank used to form the container shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The container 10 shown in Figures 1 to 6 is formed from the blank 100 shown in Figure 7. Like parts between the container 10 and the blank 100 are hereafter identified with like reference numbers.

The container 10 includes:

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-5(a) four side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d coupled together in series such that first 12a and third 12c side panels in the series are opposed and second 12b and fourth 12d side panels in the series are opposed;

(b) a glue flap 14 coupling the first 12a and fourth 12d side panels together;

(c) a plurality of top flaps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d coupled to top end sections 18 of each one of the side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, wherein the flaps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d overlap so as to form a lid of the container 10; and (d) a plurality of bottom flaps 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d coupled to bottom end sections 10 22 of each one of the side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, wherein the flaps 20a,

20b, 20c, 20d overlap so as to form a base of the container 10.

A first pair of opposed top flaps 16a, 16c are coupled to respective side panels 12a, 12c by bridging members 24 cut from top end sections 18 of the side panels 12a, 12c.

The bridging members are disposed centrally on the top end sections 18 so as to define offset corners 26 on the side panels 12a, 12c. Top surfaces 28 of the offset corners 26 are substantially coplanar with top ends 30 of the other side panels 12b, 12d.

A first pair of opposed bottom flaps 20a, 20c are coupled to respective side panels 12a, 12c by bridging members 24 cut from bottom end sections 22 of the side panels 12a, 12c. The bridging members 24 are disposed centrally on the bottom end sections 22 so as to define offset corners 26 on the side panels 12a, 12c. Bottom surfaces 32 of the offset corners 26 are substantially coplanar with bottom ends 34 of 25 the other side panels 12b, 12d.

A second pair of opposed top flaps 16b, 16d overlie the first pair of opposed top flaps 16a, 16c and are coplanar with top surfaces of the offset corners and wherein a second pair of opposed bottom flaps 20b, 20d overlie the first pair of opposed bottom 30 flaps 20a, 20c and are coplanar with bottom surfaces 32 of the offset corners 26.

The second pair of opposed top flaps 16b, 16d include handles 36 cut therein. The first pair of opposed top flaps 16a, 16c include slots 38 seated beneath the handles 36 so that the handles 36 can be punched out of the flaps 16b, 16d into respective slots 35 38.

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-6As shown in Figure 2, the bridging members 24 are folded inwardly over respective top and bottom hinges 40. The top hinges 40 are offset from top surfaces 28 of respective offset corners 26 by at least a thickness B of the second pair of opposed 5 top flaps 16b, 16d. Similarly, the bottom hinges 40 are offset from bottom surfaces 32 of respective offset corners 36 by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed bottom flaps 20b, 20d. In doing so, all eight corners of the container 10 share the container's load. When a top load is applied to the container, there is an immediate distribution of the load across all four panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the container 10. 10

The offset corners 26 of the container 10 enable the container 10 to take an even load distribution from the outset. This is applicable specifically when the container 10 has to include offset flaps.

The offset corners 26 of the container 10 allows the usually lower walls 12a, 12c to effectively remain at the same height as the higher side walls 12a, 12b. The result is an immediate distribution of a top load across all four walls (also referred to as panels) 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the container 10. This improves the top load strength. The offset flaps 16a, 16c still remain an integral part of the design so the 20 design continues to address the requirements for the machine erected shipper. The increase in top load performance offsets the need to increase the need for heavier materials or extra components. This reduces not only the packaging cost but also the amount of packaging required previously.

The strongest points in a corrugated fibre container are located in the eight corners of the container 10. The offset corner 26 feature which passes into the lower adjacent sidewalls 12a, 12c effectively brings the lower sidewalls 12a, 12c up to the same height as the adjacent higher walls 12b, 12d. This key feature allows the lower sidewalls 12a, 12c to contribute to the top load immediately when the container 10 is 30 underload. Previously the higher sidewalls 12b, 12d would take a majority of the top load before the lower sidewalls 12a, 12c were able to assist. This would often cause the higher sidewalls 12b, 12d to fail before the lower sidewalls 12a, 12c could assist.

The container 10 is an enclosed container i.e. four adjacent panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d 35 attached to each other and then glued in the manufacturing process via a single glue

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-7 flap 14. The glue used is any suitable adhesive. One or more of the flaps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are secured in place with an adhesive and/or tape.

This container 10 design is imperative to the use of this container style across the 5 industry due to existing machinery used to erect this style of container. The offset corners 26 have been designed to be incorporated into and work alongside this design for these reasons.

The container 10 and the blank 100 are made of any suitable material, including 10 corrugated fibre packaging; secondary packaging made of any sheet material for example corrugated cardboard, folding carton board and corrugated plastic. The container 10 is suitable for use with all offset flat type shippers.

With reference to Figure 7, the broken lines are indicative of cut-crease lines. All 15 unbroken lines wholly contained within the boarders are cut lines.

The container 10 is of benefit to corrugated boxes made of thick board grades which cannot be folded in the conventional manner where all 4 folds, of the base or top, are in the same plane. With thick board grades, folding over the flaps in the same level 20 plane usually results in a box that is not very square. As a result, the flap fold lines are off-set so the 2 pairs of adjacent flaps fold over each other, than in the same level plane. Boxes for bag-in-box applications usually demand a deliberately designed strong and sturdy box, so that thick board grades are usually used.

This makes the invention a suitable solution for the Bag in Box box , but it is not limited to it.

Delicate items that need sturdy shipping boxes with thick walls will also benefit.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the 35 common general knowledge in Australia.

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-8In this specification and the claims that follow, unless stated otherwise, the word comprise and its variations, such as comprises and comprising, imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion 5 of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

References in this specification to any prior publication, information derived from any said prior publication, or any known matter are not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement, admission or suggestion that said prior publication, or any 10 information derived from this prior publication or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which the specification relates.

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List of Parts

	10	Container
	12a, 12b, 12c, 12d	Side panel
5	14	Glue flap
	16a, 16b, 16c, 16d	Top flap
	18	Top end section
	20a, 20b, 20c, 20d	Bottom flap
	22	Bottom end section
10	24	Bridging member
	26	Offset corner
	28	Top of offset corner
	30	Top of side panel
	32	Bottom of offset corner
15	34	Bottom of side panel
	36	Handle
	38	Slot
	40	Hinge
	42	Control box
20	100	Blank

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Claims

Claims Defining the Invention

1. A container, including:

(a) four side panels coupled together in series such that first and third side

5 panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed;

(b) a glue flap coupling the first and fourth side panels together;

(c) a plurality of top flaps coupled to top end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a lid of the 10 container; and (d) a plurality of bottom flaps coupled to bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a base of the container, wherein a first pair of opposed top flaps are coupled to respective side panels 15 by bridging members cut from top end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the top end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, top surfaces of the offset corners being substantially coplanar with top surfaces of the other side panels; and wherein a first pair of opposed bottom flaps are coupled to respective side 20 panels by bridging members cut from bottom end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the bottom end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, bottom surfaces of the offset corners being coplanar with bottom surfaces of the other side panels.

25
2. The container claimed in claim 1, wherein a second pair of opposed top flaps overlie the first pair of opposed top flaps and are coplanar with top surfaces of the offset corners and wherein a second pair of opposed bottom flaps overlie the first pair of opposed bottom flaps and are coplanar with bottom surfaces of the offset corners.

30
3. The container claimed in claim 2, wherein the bridging members are folded inwardly over respective top and bottom hinges.
4. The container claimed in claim 3, wherein the top hinges are offset from top surfaces of respective offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of 35 opposed top flaps and the bottom hinges are offset from bottom surfaces of respective

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- 11 offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed bottom flaps.
5. The container claims in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein all eight corners of the container share the container's load.
6. The container claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when a top load is applied to the container, there is an immediate distribution of the load across all four panels of the container.

10
7. A blank for forming a container, including:

(a) four side panels coupled together in series;

(b) a glue flap for coupling the first and fourth side panels together so that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series;

15 c) a plurality of top flaps coupled to top end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps are arrangable to form a lid of the container; and (d) a plurality of bottom flaps coupled to bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps are arrangable to form a base of the 20 container, wherein a first pair of opposed top flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from top end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the top end sections so as to define offset corners on the side panels, top surfaces of the offset corners being substantially 25 coplanar with top surfaces of the other side panels when the container is assembled;

and wherein a first pair of opposed bottom flaps are coupled to respective side panels by bridging members cut from bottom end sections of the side panels, the bridging members being disposed centrally on the bottom end sections so as to define 30 offset corners on the side panels, bottom surfaces of the offset corners being coplanar with bottom surfaces of the other side panels when the container is assembled.
8. The blank claimed in claim 7, wherein a second pair of opposed top flaps are arrangable to overlie the first pair of opposed top flaps and are coplanar with top 35 surfaces of the offset corners and wherein a second pair of opposed bottom flaps are

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- 12arrangable to overlie the first pair of opposed bottom flaps and are coplanar with bottom surfaces of the offset corners.
9. The blank claimed in claim 8, wherein the bridging members are foldable 5 inwardly over respective top and bottom hinges.
10. The blank claimed in claim 9, wherein the top hinges are offset from top surfaces of respective offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed top flaps and the bottom hinges are offset from bottom surfaces of respective 10 offset corners by at least a thickness of the second pair of opposed bottom flaps.
11. The blank claims in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, where erected, all eight corners of the container share the container's load.
15 12. The blank claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein when a top load is applied to a container formed from the blank, there is an immediate distribution of the load across all four panels of the container.