AU707735B2

AU707735B2 - A container and blank

Info

Publication number: AU707735B2
Application number: AU62139/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gordon Mellis
Original assignee: Amcor Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Amcor Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-08-17
Filing date: 1996-08-19
Publication date: 1999-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-19
Also published as: AU6213996A

Description

THIS INVENTION relates to a container and a blank of foldable material from which the container may be made. In particular, the invention concerns a container with integrally formed corner posts.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to a container with corner post and having features ensuring vertical alignment when a plurality of like containers are stacked. It should be appreciated that this is by way of example only and that the container of the invention need not be configured for stackability.

Australian patent 607109 provides details of a stackable container with integral corner posts. The container is made from a blank of corrugated material and the corners of the container are configured such that the corrugations in the corner posts which form part of the corner of the container extend vertically in use.

Although such a container is stronger in compression when a plurality of like containers are stacked on top of one another than containers without corner posts, the container is sometimes of inadequate strength in compression.

e It is an object of the present invention to *provide a container and a blank from which the container S 25 may be made which at least minimises the disadvantage go referred to above.

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According to one aspect, the invention provides a container made from a blank of corrugated material, the blank having a base panel, two pairs of opposed side 30 walls hinged to the base panel about fold lines, each said side wall of one of the pairs of side walls having :opposed inner corner post forming extensions hinged thereto about fold lines providing corner posts for the container and each said side wall of the other of the 35 pairs of side walls having opposed outer corner forming extensions hinged thereto about fold lines parallel to the fold lines which hinge the associated said side wall f '1 i, to the base panel, the outer corner forming portions extending around corners of the container and over both adjacent said side walls at an associated said corner of the container whereby corrugations in the outer corner forming portions and the inner corner post extensions extend vertically in use and wherein the corner forming portions of the outer corner forming extensions have spaced stepped peripheries which provide for stacking of like containers one on top of the other.

The side walls of each pair may be of the same length and in which case the container is square in shape. Of course, one pair of side walls may be longer than the other pair of side walls and in which case a rectangular container results.

The side walls may have any suitable height. It is preferred that the side walls of both pairs be of the same height although one pair of side walls may have a height different from the height of the other pair.

Preferably, the side walls have a stepped free edge. The stepped edge may be provided by having a recess formed in an edge of the side walls. Preferably, the recess extends for a substantial distance along the length of the side wall.

The inner corner post forming extensions have a fold line extending across them to thereby divide each extension into two parts. A first of these parts is hinged to the associated side wall while the second part is hinged to the first part by a fold line. The first part extends across a corner of the base panel of the container and forms a corner post for the container. The 30 second part is secured to an inner surface of an adjacent S-side wall and extends along and overlies that wall. The second part may be of a length substantially equal to half the length of the adjacent side wall although it may 00 be of a length less than this if desired.

35 The outer corner forming extensions preferably have a ledge forming section and corner portion. The ledge forming section may be substantially triangular and (Cz in use a respective one of them may extend across a

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corner of the container above each corner post.

Alternatively, the ledge forming section may be substantially rectangular and be hinged to an associated side wall and extend between two adjacent corners of the 4.

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The corner portion of the outer corner forming extension is divided into two parts by a fold line. In this way, these parts may extend around a corner and overly parts of adjacent side walls. Preferably, the corner portion has spaced stepped peripheries which assist in rendering the container stackable in when a container is placed on top of a similarly configured container.

The blank is preferably made from double faced corrugated material having a fluted medium with liners secured either side of the medium. Any suitable gauge of material may be employed for the medium with liners.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a view of a blank from which a container according to an embodiment of the invention may be made; 20 Figure 2 is a view of a blank from which a container according to another embodiment may be made; Figure 3 is a view of a blank from which a container according to another embodiment of the invention may be made; Figure 4 is a view of yet another blank from which a container according to an embodiment of the invention may be made; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container made from the blank of Figure 4; and S 30 Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container made from the blank of Figure 3.

The blank 10 of Figure 1 has a first pair of opposed side walls 12, 13. These side walls are hinged to the base panel 11 by respective fold lines 14 and Each of the side walls 12 and 13 has a stepped periphery formed by a recess 16 and 17. Side wall 12 has opposed outer corner forming extensions 18 and 19 hinged to the wall about a short fold line 20 which is parallel to fold line 14. Each outer corner forming extension 18, 19 has an outer corner portion 21 and 22 and a substantially triangular ledge portion 23, 24. A fold line 25, 26 extends between the outer corner portions and the triangular ledge section. The outer periphery of each of the outer corner portions 21, 22 is stepped and has an outer edge 27 and an inner edge 28. Outer corner portion 21 has a fold line 30 which divides the outer corner portion 21 into two parts. Likewise, fold line 31 divides the outer corner portion 22 into two parts.

Side wall 13 has outer corner forming extensions 32, 33 hinged to it and those outer corner forming extensions are configured in the same manner as corner forming extensions 18 and 19 and will not be described in detail.

The outer corner forming extensions 18 and 19 have an inner stepped periphery defined in part by fold lines 25 and 26 and by die cut lines 33 and 34 provided between the extension and the side wall 12.

.i 20 The blank 10 of Figure 1 has a second pair of opposed side walls 40 and 41. Walls 40 and 41 are hinged to the base panel by fault lines 42 and 43. Side walls 40 and 41 have a reduced width portion defined by the recesses 44 and 45 which extend along a substantial part of the length of the side wall and parallel to the fold lines 42 and 43.

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Side wall 40 has opposed inner corner post forming extensions 46 and 47 hinged to it by fold lines 48 and 49. Each of the inner corner post forming 30 extensions is divided into two parts by fold lines 50 and 51 which extend parallel to fold lines 48 and 49. The other side wall 41 has similarly configured opposed inner corner post forming extensions 52 and 53 hinged to it.

The blank 60 shown in Figure 2 is in many respects similar to the blank 20 shown in Figure i. The blank 60 has similar components to that described in relation to Figure 1 and like numerals are used in that figure to illustrate like components or parts which that 6 blank has in common with the blank shown in Figure i.

Blank 60 in Figure 2 has a second pair of opposed side walls 61 and 62 hinged to base panel 11 by fold lines 42 and 43. Side wall 61 has a pronounced angular recess 63 extending along a substantial part of its length whereas side wall 62 has a pronounced angular recess 64 extending along a major part of its length. These recesses 63 and 64 are the main or major differences between the blank of Figure 2 and the blank of Figure i.

The blank 70 of Figure 4 is configured in a substantially similar fashion to the blanks of Figures 1 and 2, except that side walls 71 and 72 which are hinged to the base panel 11 by fold lines 42 and 43, do not have recesses like those identified by the numeral 45 in Figure 1 and the numerals 63 and 64 in Figure 2. Rather, the side walls 71 and 72 of the blank 70 in Figure 4 have substantially trapezoidal flaps 73 and 74 separated from S9"-.the associated side wall by die cut lines 75 and are hinged to the associated side wall by a twin fold line 20 76. In Figure 4, like numerals are employed to identify components or parts that the blank 70 has in common with the blanks illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 3 shows an alternative blank 80 which may be used to make a container according to an embodiment of the invention. The blank 80 of Figure 3 has a base panel 81 to which are hinged a first pair of opposed side walls 82 and 83. Walls 82 and 83 are hinged to the base panel by fold lines 84 and 85. A second pair 9* of opposed side walls 86 and 87 are hinged to the base 30 panel by fold lines 88 and 89. Side wall 82 has a substantially rectangular ledge flap 90 hinged to it by fold line 91 which extends parallel to fold line 84. An aperture 92 is present between the ledge flap 90 and the side wall 82. Opposed outer corner forming extension 93 and 94 are hinged to ledge portion 90 by fold lines These outer corner forming extensions are separated from the side wall 82 by a die cut line 96 which extends part way along an edge of the ledge portion Outer corner forming extension 93 is divided into two parts by a fold line 97. Likewise, outer corner forming extension 94 is divided into two parts by a fold line 98. Extension 93 has a stepped outer periphery provided by edge portions 99 and 100. Extension 93 has a stepped inner periphery provided by fold line 95 and die cut line 96.

Outer corner forming extension 94 has a stepped outer periphery provided by edge portions 101 and 102.

Extension 94 has an inner stepped periphery provided by fold line 95 and die cut line 96.

Side wall 83 is configured in a similar manner to side wall 82 and has a ledge portion 103 hinged to it by fold line 104 and an aperture 105 is present between the side wall 83 and the flap 103. Outer corner forming extensions 105 and 106 are hinged to the ledge portion 103 and are configured in a similar manner to the extensions 93 and 94.

Side wall 86 has a stepped periphery provided 20 by a recess 107 which extends along a substantial part of its length. Opposed inner corner post forming extensions 108 and 109 are hinged to the side wall 86 by fold lines 110 and 111. Extension 108 is divided into two parts by line 112 while extension 109 is divided into two parts by fold line 113. Side wall 87 is provided with two opposed inner corner post forming portions 114 and 115 which are configured in a like fashion to portions 108 and 109.

***Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container 30 120 formed from the blank 70 of Figure 4. Flaps 73 (not visible in this figure) and 74 are folded over against an inner face of side walls 71 and 72 respectively. The triangular ledge portions 23 and 24 extend across each of the corners of the container 120 while the outer corner forming extensions 18, 19, 32 and 33 which are divided into two parts by fold lines 30 and 31 extend around each of the corners of the container so that a part of each of these extensions overlies a portion of adjacent side 8 walls. The stepped outer and inner peripheries of the outer corner forming extensions provide an upstanding stacking corner projection 121 and a lower locating step 122 at each of the corners such that when like containers are stacked on top of one another, the upstanding locating corner projections on one container locate relative to the locating recess provided on an adjacent upper container and the triangular ledge portions assist in the provision of a ledge on top of which a container may rest.

As shown in Figure 5, the inner corner post forming extensions 46 and 52 which are divided into two parts by fold line 50 are configured such that a first part extends diagonally across the corner and has an upper part upon which the ledge portion 23 or 24 may rest and an outer portion which extends over and partway along side wall 12. A similar configuration is adopted for the other two corners. If desired, this outer part of the inner post forming portions may be made substantially 20 longer than that shown and thus, may meet midway along the length of the side wall 12 to provide a double thickness side wall.

Figure 6 of the drawings shows a container 140 made from the blank 80 illustrated in Figure 3. In this figure, the ledge portions 90 and 103 extend completely across the upper periphery of the container. The outer corner forming extensions extend around each of the corners such that the fold lines extending across these extensions and which divide the extensions into two parts o 30 extend vertically at the corners of the container. Thus, the parts of the extensions extend around the corner and overlie outer faces of at least a part of adjacent side walls of the container. Inner post forming extension 114 is visible in this view and the fold line 112 which divides this portion into two parts is visible. The parts of the inner post forming extension 114 consist of a first part between fold lines 110 and 112 which extends diagonally across a corner to provide a corner post and a second part extending beyond fold line 112 which extends part way along and overlies side wall 82. The other inner corner post forming extensions are similarly configured and the ledges 90 and 103 rest upon the diagonal corner posts.

In both of the containers shown in Figures and 6, the corrugations in the fluted medium from which the blanks are made extend vertically in the parts of the outer corner forming extensions as well as extending vertically in the inner corner post forming extensions.

Thus, the corrugations extend vertically in not only the outer corner forming extensions, but also in the integrally formed corner posts provided in the container.

This factor, together with the provision of outer corner forming extensions which have parts extending around and overlying adjacent side walls at a corner, provide a particularly strong container able to withstand compressive forces. By adopting such a construction, it is possible to use material to manufacture the blank of a 20 lighter gauge than would otherwise be the case with known containers which have integrally formed corner posts.

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A container made from a blank of corrugated material, the blank having a base panel, two pairs of opposed side walls hinged to the base panel about fold lines, each said side wall of one of the pairs of side walls having opposed inner corner post forming extensions hinged thereto about fold lines providing corner posts for the container and each said side wall of the other of the pairs of side walls having opposed outer corner forming extensions hinged thereto about fold lines parallel to the fold lines which hinge the associated said side wall to the base panel, the outer corner forming portions extending around corners of the container and over both adjacent said side walls at an associated said corner of the container whereby corrugations in the outer corner forming portions and the inner corner post extensions extend vertically in use and wherein the corner forming portions of the outer corner forming extensions have spaced stepped peripheries which provide for stacking of like containers one on top of the other.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the side walls of each said pair of side walls have the same length.

3. The container of claim 1 or 2 wherein the side S walls of the one pair have a stepped free edge extending 25 along a substantial length of the side wall.

4. The container of claim 1 or 2 wherein the side walls of both said pair of side walls have a stepped free edge extending along a substantial length of the side wall.

5. The container of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein 30 the inner corner post forming extensions have a fold line extending across them to divide the extension into two parts with a first of these parts being hinged to an associated said side wall and the second of the parts being S.e.

hinged to an associated said first part by a fold line.

S" 35 6. The container of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each said outer corner forming extension includes a ledge forming section and a corner forming portion, the ledge Aforming sections extend across an upper end of the corner

Claims

7. The container of claim 6 wherein the ledge sections are triangular in shape.
8. The container of claim 6 wherein the ledge forming sections are substantially rectangular and hinged to an associated said side wall by a fold line and extend between two adjacent corners of the container.
9. The container of claim 8 including an aperture on the fold line about which the rectangular ledge forming sections are hinged to the associated said side wall. The container of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the outer corner forming extensions are each divided into two parts by a fold line.
11. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 19th day of May 1999 AMCOR LIMITED By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. S Ao 4 K I: It -/xI a ri (7s ABSTRACT A container made from a blank of foldable material is disclosed. The container has a base panel and two pairs of opposed side walls hinged to the base panel about fold lines. The side walls of one pair have opposed inner corner post forming extensions hinged thereto and which provide corner posts for the container. The side walls of the other pair have opposed outer corner forming extensions hinged to them about fold lines. The outer corner forming extensions extend around corners of the container and over both adjacent side walls at a corner of the container and the corrugations in the outer and inner corner forming extensions extend vertically. e* S *eee* e 0 o* 0