CN209972997U - Package (I) - Google Patents

Abstract

A package is described that includes a single piece of material that includes a plurality of panels joined by lines of weakness in the material. The plurality of panels and the line of weakness are arranged such that the package is capable of being manipulated between an erected configuration in which the plurality of panels define a box and a non-erected configuration in which the plurality of panels define a substantially continuous sheet.

Description

Package

technical field

The present invention relates to packaging.

Background technique

Many consumer products, such as refill cartridges for electronic cigarettes, are sold to consumers in packages containing one or more of the consumer products.

It is desirable to provide a package that can be easily erected into a box for containing such a consumer product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments described herein, a package is provided, the package comprising: a single piece of material comprising a plurality of panels joined by a line of weakness in the material, wherein the plurality of panels and the line of weakness are arranged such that the package can be used in the plurality of panels Maneuvering between an upright configuration defining the box and a non-upstanding configuration in which the plurality of panels define a substantially continuous sheet.

The plurality of panels may comprise pairs of first panels, wherein the panels of each pair of first panels together define a pair of adjacent walls of the box when the package is in an upright configuration, and the plurality of panels may further comprise pairs of second panels , wherein the panels of each pair of first panels are connected by a corresponding pair of panels of a pair of second panels, wherein the panels of each pair of second panels are along a corresponding one of the first lines of weakness of the lines of weakness in the material The lines are joined together, wherein the panels of each pair of second panels are folded against each other within the box along a respective one of the first lines of weakness that join them when the package is in the upright configuration.

The first panel of each pair of first panels may be joined to a corresponding pair of first panels of a pair of second panels along a respective one of the second ones of the lines of weakness in the material, the respective pair connected A pair of first panels, and a second panel of each pair of first panels is joined to a second panel of a corresponding pair of second panels along a respective one of the third of the lines of weakness in the material panels, the corresponding pair is connected to a pair of first panels.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective front side view of the package in an erected configuration;

Figure 2 shows a perspective rear side view of the package in an erected configuration;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the package in a non-erect configuration;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the package between a non-erect configuration and an erect configuration;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the package between a non-erect configuration and an erect configuration;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of the package in an erected configuration with the cover panel open.

Detailed ways

Figures 1 to 3 show a package 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 1 comprises a single piece of any suitable material, eg a foldable material such as cardboard or paper. A single piece of material includes multiple panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 (not all of these 2), the plurality of panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 are defined by lines of weakness a ^, to t ^, link.

The plurality of panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 and the lines of weakness a ^, to t ^, are arranged such that the package 1 can be is manipulated, eg folded and unfolded, between an erect configuration (shown in Figures 1 and 2) and a non-erect configuration (shown in Figure 3) in which the plurality of panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c , 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 define a closed box, in a non-erect configuration a plurality of panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 define substantially continuous flat sheets.

When the package 1 is in the upright configuration, the first panel 3 and the second panel 5 opposite each other serve as side walls of the closed box, and the third panel 7 and the fourth panel 9 opposite each other serve as the front wall and The rear wall, and the fifth panel 11 and the sixth panel 13 opposite each other serve as the top and bottom walls or bases of the closed box, respectively.

When the package 1 is in the upright configuration, the dimensions L of the front wall 7, the rear wall 9, the top wall 11, the bottom wall 13 define the length of the closed box, and the dimensions W of the side walls 3 and 5, the top wall 11 and the base wall 13 define The width of the closed box, and the dimension H of the side walls 3 and 5, the front wall 7 and the rear wall 9, define the height of the closed box.

Panels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are all rectangular in shape, with opposing panels having the same cross-sectional area in the upright configuration, and thus the closed box takes the form of a conventional cubic box when in the upright configuration. Of course, other shapes and cross-sectional areas are possible. In one example, opposing panels having the same cross-sectional area in the upright configuration may have a square cross-sectional area. If the panels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are all square and have the same cross-sectional area, the closed box takes the form of a cube.

The remaining panels 3a, 3b, 3c, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b and 11a are internal panels in the sense that they are essentially arranged in the closed box when the package 1 is in the upright configuration Inside.

The lines of weakness a ^, to t ^, may be provided by crease lines, perforation lines, score lines or any other type of weakening lines or combinations thereof.

As shown in Figure 3, panel 13 abuts panels 3, 5 ^, 7 and 9 along respective lines of weakness r ^, , t ^, , q ^, and s. Panel 9 adjoins panel 11 along a line ^of weakness h . The panel 11 has a rectangular shape.

Panel 7a is substantially quadrilateral in shape and adjoins panel 7 along line of weakness a ^and abuts panel 3a along line ^of weakness b. Panel 3a is substantially quadrilateral in shape and also adjoins panel 7a, along line of weakness c ^, to panel 3. Panel 3 is also adjacent to panels 3a and 13, and also to panels 3c and 3b along lines of weakness e ^, and d ^, respectively. The panel 3c is substantially trapezoidal in shape and has two rounded corners. Panel 3b is substantially quadrilateral in shape and also adjoins panel 3 and also panel 9b along a line ^of weakness f. Panel 9b is triangular in shape and also adjoins panel 3b and also panel 9 along line ^of weakness g.

Panel 11 is also adjacent to panel 9 and also to panel 11a along the line ^of weakness i . The panel 11a is substantially in the shape of an irregular pentagon with three of its corners rounded.

The panels 9a, 5a, 5, 5b and 7b are arranged in a substantially symmetrical arrangement with the panels 9b, 3b, 3, 3a and 7a, respectively. Thus, panels 9a and 9b have the same shape and size, panels 5a and 3b have the same shape and size, panels 5 and 3 have the same shape and size, panels 5b and 3a have the same shape and size and Panels 7b and 7a have the same shape and size.

Panel 9a adjoins panel 9 along line of weakness j ^{, and} adjoins panel 5a along line of weakness k. Panel 5a is also adjacent to panel 9a and also to panel 5 along the line ^of weakness l. Panel 5 is also adjacent to panels 13 and 5a, and also to panels 5c and 5b along lines of weakness m ^, and n ^, respectively. Panel 5b is also adjacent to panel 5 and also to panel 7b along the line ^of weakness o. Panel 7b is also adjacent to panel 5b and also to panel 7 along the line ^of weakness p.

Panels 3, 5, 9 and 13 do not have free edges (ie cut edges). The remaining panels have free edges that together define the perimeter of the package 1 when the package 1 is in the non-erect configuration. These free edges are shown most clearly in Figure 3, but have not been labeled in order to maintain the clarity of the drawing. Panels 7, 9a and 9b each have a single straight free edge, but as will be discussed below, the free edge of panel 7a has a small curved notch 7d formed therein. The panels 3b, 3a, 5a and 5b each have two straight free edges, one of which is substantially longer than the other and which meet at curved corners. The panels 7a and 7b each have two straight free edges that are substantially perpendicular to each other and meet at curved corners. The panel 11 has two free straight edges parallel and opposite to each other. Panel 11a has four free edges and three curved corners. Panels 3c and 5c (which are both smaller than the other panels) each have three free edges with two curved corners.

It will be appreciated that in this example, the curved corners essentially join the free edges, which improves the appearance of the package.

Figures 4 to 6 help to illustrate the various panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9 when the package 1 is manipulated between the erect and non-erect configurations , 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 pivot about the various lines of weakness a ^, to s ^, .

When moving from the upright configuration to the non-upright configuration, the package 1 is manipulated such that the panels 3, 5, 7 and 9 pivot about the lines of weakness r ^, , t ^, , q ^, and s ^, respectively, until the panels 3, 5, 7 and 9 Substantially perpendicular to the panel 13 .

When the panels 3, 5, 7 and 9 are pivoted into their positions substantially perpendicular to the panel 13, the panels 3b and 9b, 7a and 3a, 5a and 9a, and 7b and 5b move to the positions best shown in FIG. 6 in the position in which panels 9b and 3b are folded over each other around line of weakness f ^, panels 3a and 7a are folded over each other around line of weakness b ^, and panels 9a and 5a ^are folded over each other around line of weakness k on top of each other, and panels 5b and 7b ^are folded on top of each other around the line of weakness o .

Thus, on one side of the package 1, a pair of panels 9b and 3b and a pair of panels 3a and 7a are arranged within the interior of the box and from opposite edges of the box towards the central longitudinal axis of the box (indicated by dashed lines in Figure 6 ) ) oriented or angled inwards. Similarly, on the other side of the package 1, a pair of panels 9a and 5a and a pair of panels 5b and 7b are arranged within the box and are also oriented or angled inwardly from opposite edges of the box towards the longitudinal axis of the box. On one side, panels 3a and 3b are angled towards each other and sandwiched between panels 9b and 7a. On the other side, panels 5a and 5b are angled towards each other and sandwiched between panels 9a and 7b.

To fully configure the package 1 in the upright configuration, panels 3c and 5c are pivoted about lines of weakness e ^, and m ^, respectively, towards the interior of the box, until they are substantially perpendicular to panels 3 and 5, respectively. Panel 11 pivots about the line of weakness h ^, and panel 11a is rolled into the box between panel 7 and panels 7a and 7b until panel 11 is substantially perpendicular to panels 9 and 11a. In this position, the panel 11a serves to prevent the other panels from popping open, and thus the box from opening.

Thus, a pair of panels 9 and 3 define adjacent walls of the box, like a pair of panels 3 and 7, like a pair of panels 7 and 5, and like a pair of panels 5 and 9, when the package 1 is in the upright configuration. The panels of each of these pairs of wall panels are connected by a corresponding pair of connecting panels (ie, panels 9b and 3b are a pair of connecting panels, like panels 3a and 7a, like panels 7b and 5b, and like panels 9a and 9a 5a), the panels are folded against each other along a first line of weakness (f ^, , b ^, , o ^, or k ^, as the case may be) and extend inwardly into the box at an angle.

For a given pair of adjacent wall panels, one of the panels of the pair of connecting panels abuts one of the wall panels along a second line of weakness, and the other of the panels of the pair of connecting panels adjoins along a third line of weakness The other of the wall panels abuts. For a given pair of adjacent wall panels and its pair of connecting panels, the first, second and third lines of weakness converge at a respective one of the corners of the panels 13 serving as base panels. As is best understood from FIG. 3 , since each of the four wall panels 9 , 3 , 7 and 5 itself abuts the base panel 3 along a corresponding line of weakness, there are five lines of weakness in each of the corners of the base panel 13 . Convergence or intersection.

In one example, the lines of weakness b ^, , f ^, , k ^, and o ^, are weaker than the other lines of weakness in order to facilitate folding of the panels 7a, 3a, 3b, 9b, 9a, 5a, 5b, 7b of the pair of connected panels The relatively large amount of pivot required over each other. In one example, the lines of weakness b ^, , f ^, , k ^, and o ^, may be perforation lines, while the other lines of weakness are fold lines or crease lines.

To return the package 1 to the non-erect configuration, the panel 11a is pulled out of the interior of the box, and the panel 11 is pivoted in the opposite sense to that used when closing the box. The panels 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 9a, 9b, 11, 11a, 13 can then be moved along the way they are normally placed in an upright configuration with the package The path along the roughly opposite path moves to fan out.

As mentioned above, the free edge of the panel 7 has a curved notch 7d formed therein to facilitate the handling of the panel 11 out of the box.

When the package 1 is opened into the non-erect configuration, the package 1 is in the form of a continuous sheet and thus does not have any seams which are cut into the package 1 and when the package 1 is manipulated into the erect configuration or held in the Used when in upright configuration. Furthermore, it should be understood that the one-piece design is self-supporting in that it is able to remain secure in the upright configuration without the aid of any additional adhesive or adhesive, such as glue or tape.

Since no glue or tape is required to hold the package 1 in the upright configuration, the process of erecting the package 1 and filling it with whatever is to be contained is facilitated, as there is no need to align the panels for gluing or gluing during assembly , and no special tools are required.

This facilitates the process of erecting the package into an erect configuration and filling it with the items to be contained therein. When in the upright configuration, the package 1 is structurally rigid and provides good protection for the contents of the package 1 .

Furthermore, the consumer can easily open the package 1 in a non-erect configuration, and thus the entire inner surface of the package can be used to convey a visual message (eg, instructions or advertising) to the consumer.

When in the upright configuration, the package 1 has a neat appearance since most of the visible edges are folded edges and there are relatively few visible cut edges.

In one example, the package 1 is used to contain a refill cartridge for an electronic cigarette when in the upright configuration, but it should be understood that the package can be used to contain a variety of different items.

The various embodiments described herein are merely presented to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These examples are provided as representative samples of the examples only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or the equivalents of the claims, and Other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (14)

1. A package, comprising:

a single piece of material comprising a plurality of panels joined by a line of weakness in the material, wherein the plurality of panels and the line of weakness are arranged such that the package is manipulable between an erected configuration in which the plurality of panels define a carton and a non-erected configuration in which the plurality of panels define a substantially continuous sheet, wherein the carton is a closed carton in the erected configuration, and characterized in that the carton contains a replacement cartridge of electronic cigarettes, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of pairs of first panels, wherein the panels of each pair of first panels together define a pair of adjacent walls of the carton when the package is in the erected configuration, and wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a plurality of pairs of second panels, and wherein the panels of each pair of first panels are connected by the panels of a respective pair of the pairs of second panels, and wherein the panels of each pair of second panels are joined together along a respective one of the first lines of weakness of the lines of weakness in the material, and wherein the panels of each pair of second panels are folded against each other within the box along the respective one of the first lines of weakness joining them when the package is in the erected configuration, a free edge of one of the first panels having a small curved notch formed therein,

wherein the plurality of panels comprises a panel that serves as a lid for the box when the package is in the erected configuration,

wherein the panel serving as a lid for the box when the package is in the erected configuration is joined to one of the first panels along a line of weakness,

wherein the plurality of panels comprises a tab panel adjoined to the panel by a line of weakness, the panel serving as a lid for the box when the package is in the erected configuration, the tab panel being substantially of irregular pentagonal shape with three of its corners rounded off, wherein the tab panel is adapted to fold into the interior of the box between two or more others of the plurality of panels when the package is in the erected configuration,

wherein the tab panels are adapted to be folded into the interior of the box between one of the first panels and two of the second panels, each of the two of the second panels abutting one of the first panels along a respective one of the lines of weakness, the two of the second panels being substantially quadrilateral in shape.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein the first panel of each pair of first panels is joined to the first panel of said respective pair of said pair of second panels along a respective one of the second lines of weakness in said material, said respective pair connecting said pair of first panels, and the second panel of each pair of first panels is joined to the second panel of said respective pair of said pair of second panels along a respective one of the third lines of weakness in said material, said respective pair connecting said pair of first panels.

3. The package of claim 2 wherein, for a given pair of first panels and a pair of second panels connecting those first panels, a respective one of the first lines of weakness, a respective one of the second lines of weakness, and a respective one of the third lines of weakness converge at a point.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the point is a corner of another panel of the plurality of panels.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the other panel serves as a base for the box when the package is in the erected configuration.

6. The package of claim 4 or 5 wherein the first panel of each pair of first panels is joined to the other panel along a respective one of the fourth lines of weakness of the lines of weakness in the material and the second panel of each pair of first panels is joined to the other panel along a respective one of the fifth lines of weakness of the lines of weakness in the material.

7. The package of claim 6 wherein, for a given pair of first panels and a pair of second panels connecting those first panels, a respective one of the first lines of weakness, a respective one of the second lines of weakness, a respective one of the third lines of weakness, a respective one of the fourth lines of weakness, and a respective one of the fifth lines of weakness converge at a point that is a corner of another panel of the plurality of panels.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the tab panel serves to retain the package in the erected configuration.

9. The package of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first line of weakness is weaker than the others of the lines of weakness.

10. The package of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the line of weakness comprises at least one of a fold line, a crease line, a perforation line, and a score line.

11. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the box is self-supporting in the erected configuration.

12. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the box is a cuboidal or cubic box.

13. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the substantially continuous sheet is a substantially flat sheet.

14. The package of any of the preceding claims 1 to 5 wherein some of the lines of weakness are weaker than others of the lines of weakness.

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