Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
  • B65D31/08—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with block bottoms
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
  • B65D31/10—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with gusseted sides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
  • B65D31/16—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents of special shape
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
  • B65D33/06—Handles
  • B65D33/065—Integral handles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
  • B65D33/06—Handles
  • B65D33/08—Hand holes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
  • B65D33/06—Handles
  • B65D33/10—Handles formed of similar material to that used for the bag
  • B65D33/105—U-shaped
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
  • B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
  • B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
  • B65D33/24—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices using self-locking integral or attached closure elements, e.g. flaps
  • B65D33/246—Turn-over flaps co-operating with a separate handle or suspension means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
  • B65D5/441—Reinforcements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
  • B65D5/46—Handles
  • B65D5/46008—Handles formed separately from the container body
  • B65D5/46032—Handles with anchoring elements, e.g. formed by folding a blank
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
  • B65D5/46—Handles
  • B65D5/46072—Handles integral with the container
  • B65D5/46088—Handles integral with the container formed by extensions of closure flaps, by closure flaps or by extensions of side flaps of a container formed by folding a blank to form a tubular body
  • B65D5/46096—Handles integral with the container formed by extensions of closure flaps, by closure flaps or by extensions of side flaps of a container formed by folding a blank to form a tubular body two opposite closure flaps being provided with handle elements which are in contact with each other
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/64—Lids
  • B65D5/66—Hinged lids
  • B65D5/6626—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank

Definitions

• the invention relates to fold-flat packaging, and in particular to containers in the form of closable bags.
• Types of packaging in the form of foldable paper and cartonboard containers may range from simple paper bags for low value items and carry-out items to complex machine- folded cartonboard containers for higher value items and enhanced point of sale display.
• Non-plastics based packaging solutions for products such as take-away food items include cartonboard packaging in the form of a rectangular box having foldable side walls, typically with a handle incorporated into a lid portion.
• the lid portion is typically formed by folding side wall portions of the box inwards towards each other, with an arrangement to engage the portions with each other when closed.
• Such solutions can be suitable for both on-shelf display purposes and for a customer to carry away.
• cartonboard packaging solutions relate to the weight and cost of the packaging itself, which is typically substantially greater than equivalent paper or plastics packaging. Lighter and cheaper paper-based packaging solutions are however not generally acceptable, due to the requirements for an attractive shelf appearance and for sufficient strength to withstand the weight of the items contained.
• a typical paper bag solution would comprise a flat folded and glued base and either an open top with attached handles or a folded over top, possibly secured with glue or an adhesive strip. Although such paper bag solutions would serve the purpose of containing items, these would generally not be ideally suited for on-shelf display purposes, where a uniform appearance and form is required.
• a fold-flat paper-based container comprising: a rectangular base portion; and first and second pairs of opposing side walls extending from the perimeter of the base portion and defining an enclosed volume therebetween, an upper portion of the first and second pair of opposing side walls being foldable to form the container into a substantially cuboid shaped enclosure in a closed configuration, wherein the upper portions of the first pair of side walls each comprise a square section having fold lines extending between a centre point and opposing lower corners of the square section.
• the container comprises a foldable upper portion in the form of square sections that are foldable along diagonal fold lines, the article can be easily and simply transformed from an open configuration, in which articles to be contained can be loaded and removed, and a closed configuration suitable for both on-shelf display and for being carried away by a customer.
• each of the container side walls in the open configuration are preferably contiguous with each other, i.e. are not split into separate foldable sections as in prior cartonboard solutions. Transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration is achieved by collapsing the first pair of side walls inwards towards each other, which causes the second pair of side walls to fold together as they are brought inwards towards each other when folded into the closed configuration.
• the fold lines on the upper portions of the first pair of side walls can extend between the lower corners and opposing upper corners of the square section through the centre point, thereby forming diagonal cross-shaped fold lines across the upper sections of the first pair of side walls.
• the side walls can thereby fold inwards from the open configuration to the closed configuration to form a substantially cuboid-shaped package.
• the second pair of side walls may comprise a handle for carrying the article when in the closed configuration.
• the handle may be of various types, one type being formed from matching cut-out handles in each of the second pair of side walls.
• a handle may be provided on a first one of the side walls and a slot on a second one of the side walls, the slot being configured to receive the handle such that the handle extends through the slot in the closed configuration.
• a fold-flat paper-based container comprising: a rectangular base portion; and first and second pairs of opposing side walls extending from the perimeter of the base portion and defining an enclosed volume therebetween, an upper portion of the first and second pair of opposing side walls being foldable to form the container into a substantially cuboid shaped enclosure in a closed configuration, wherein the upper portions of the first pair of side walls each comprise a square section having fold lines extending between a centre point and opposing lower corners of the square section, and wherein the second pair of side walls comprise at least three cutout handles that form a single handle in a closed configuration.
• a cut-out handle may be a cut-out or a foldable flap.
• the foldable flap may be defined by a fold line and a perforated or cut line extending from one end of the fold line to the other end of the fold line.
• a single handle made up of at least three cut-out handles provides for a handle having strength and rigidity. Further, a cut-out in the form of a foldable flap may provide extra strength and rigidity in a closed configuration
• a first one of the second pair of side walls comprises a first horizontal fold line on the upper portion, the first horizontal fold line being configured such that folding along the first horizontal fold line brings the at least three cutout handles together. Folding along the first horizontal fold line may fold the uppermost portion of the first one of the second pair of side walls over the second (opposite) one of the second pair of side walls, and may improve the strength of the uppermost portion of the container in the closed configuration.
• the second pair of side walls may comprise at least four cut-out handles that form a single handle in a closed configuration and the second one of the second pair of side walls may comprise a second horizontal fold line on the upper portion, the first and second horizontal fold lines being configured such that folding along the first and second horizontal fold lines brings the at least three cut-out handles together.
• Folding along both the first and second horizontal fold lines provides for even further strength in the uppermost portion of the container in the closed configuration. Folding along both the first and second horizontal fold lines may be folding the second pair of sidewalls in the same direction.
• the upper portion of one or both of the second pair of side walls may comprise a reinforcing layer extending across the upper portion. This reinforcing layer adds strength and stiffness to the square section of the upper portion of one or both of the second pair of side walls, which also provides for an improved shelf appearance.
• the reinforcing layer is preferably composed of cartonboard.
• the side walls of the container are preferably composed of paper, having a weight of preferably between 60 and 200 g/m 2 .
• the paper is preferably composed of primary, or virgin, fibre, also known as 'kraft' paper.
• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bag according to a first embodiment in an open configuration
• figure 2 shows a perspective view of the bag of figure 1 in a closed configuration
• figure 3 shows a perspective view of a bag according to a second embodiment in an open configuration
• figure 4 shows a perspective view of the bag of figure 3 in a partially closed configuration
• figure 5 shows a perspective view of the bag of figures 3 and 4 in a further partially closed configuration
• figure 6 shows a perspective view of the bag of figures 3 to 5 in a closed configuration
• figure 7 shows a perspective view of a bag according to a third embodiment in an open configuration
• figure 8 shows a perspective view of the bag of figure 7 in a closed configuration
• figure 9 shows a perspective view of a bag according to a fourth embodiment in an open configuration
• figure 10 shows a perspective view of the bag of figure 9 in a closed configuration
• figure 11 shows a perspective view of a bag according to a fifth embodiment in an open configuration
• figure 12 shows a perspective view of a bag according
• FIG. 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a fold-flat paper-based container according to the invention is shown in figure 1.
• the container 100 comprises a base portion 1 10, a first pair of opposing side walls 120a, 120b and a second pair of opposing side walls 130a, 130b extending from the base portion 110 and joined along edges 170a-d.
• Diagonal and vertical fold lines 140a, 140b are provided on a lower portion and along a central line of the first pair of side walls 120a, 120b to allow the container 100 to be stored in a folded flat configuration before use, as for a conventional paper bag.
• the container 100 is shown in an open configuration in figure 1 , in which it can be filled or emptied of its contents.
• a square section 165 (shown in perspective in figure 1 ) on an upper portion of each of the first pair 120a, 120b of side walls is defined by a horizontal fold line 160, upper portions of edges 170a-d joining the first and second pairs of side walls 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b above the horizontal fold line 160 and an upper edge 180a-d of each side wall.
• the diagonal fold lines 140a extend between a centre point 166 of the square section 165 towards opposing lower corners 167a, 167b.
• handles 210 are provided as matching cut-outs in upper portions of each of the second pair 130a, 130b of side walls, the handles 210 meeting when the container 100 is in the closed configuration shown in figure 2.
• the upper portions of the side walls are shown in figure 2 in a slightly opened configuration, although the container can be held firmly closed by use of glue points or adhesive strips for security when on a shelf.
• the upper portions 220a, 220b of the second pair of side walls 130a, 130b can be folded along a horizontal fold line 230 to allow the container 100 to be reduced in height, for example when placed in a restricted height shelf location.
• FIG. 3 A second embodiment of a container 300 according to the invention is illustrated in figure 3.
• the lower portion of the container 300 is constructed similarly to that shown in figures 1 and 2, i.e. with a base portion 110 and first and second pairs of opposing side walls 320a, 320b, 330a, 330b.
• diagonal and vertical fold lines 340a, 340b are provided on the first pair of side walls 320a, 320b to allow the container to be stored in a folded flat configuration.
• diagonal fold lines 350a, 350b are provided in the first pair of side walls 320a, 320b extending from a centre point 366 of an upper square section 365 of the side walls 320a, 320b.
• the diagonal fold lines 350a, 350b extend across the square section 365 between opposing lower corners 367a, 367b and corresponding opposing upper corners 368a, 368b of the square section 365.
• This configuration allow the upper portion 305 of the container 300 to collapse in a different way to that of the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, as described below with reference to figures 4, 5 and 6.
• a handle 370 may be provided on one of the second pair of side walls 330b, with a corresponding slot 380 (shown in figure 4) provided in the other of the second pair of side walls 330a, through which the handle can be extended in the closed configuration, as described below.
• the handle 370 may be provided as a folded part of a cartonboard reinforcing element attached to the upper portion of the side wall 330b.
• the handle 370 and corresponding slot 380 are shown in figures 3-5 oriented vertically relative to the second pair of side walls 330a, 330b. Other orientations for the handle are also possible, such as the handle being horizontally oriented relative to the side walls.
• a handle may alternatively be provided in a different form, such as a rope or ribbon handle attached to the side wall 330b.
• a first step shown in figure 4, the upper portion 420b of one of the second pair of side walls 330b folds inwards along a horizontal fold line 430, and the upper portion of the first pair of side walls 320a, 320b folds along diagonal fold line 350b.
• This first step is readily achieved by first flexing the upper portion of the first pair of side walls outwards and folding the upper portion of side walls 330b inwards, causing the first pair of side walls 320a, 320b to naturally fold along the diagonal fold line 350b.
• the upper portion 420b of side wall 330b then forms the upper internal surface of the container 300 when in the closed configuration.
• the upper portion 520a of the other of the second pair of side walls 320a is folded inwards. This is achieved by flexing the upper portion of the first pair of side walls 320a, 320b inwards, causing the diagonal fold line 350a to fold and bring the upper portion 520 of one of the second pair of side walls 330a inwards to meet and engage with the upper portion 420 of the other of the second pair of side walls 330b.
• the handle 370 then engages with and extends through the slot 380.
• a third step shown in figure 6, the handle 370 is extended through the slot 380 and the container is in the closed configuration, forming a substantially cuboid shaped enclosure.
• the container 300 can be secured in this configuration by glue or by an adhesive strip, for example a security strip across the gap between the upper edge 610 of the upper portion 520 of one of the second pair of side walls 330a and the horizontal fold line 430 on the other of the second pair of side walls 330b.
• glue for example a security strip across the gap between the upper edge 610 of the upper portion 520 of one of the second pair of side walls 330a and the horizontal fold line 430 on the other of the second pair of side walls 330b.
• an adhesive strip for example a security strip across the gap between the upper edge 610 of the upper portion 520 of one of the second pair of side walls 330a and the horizontal fold line 430 on the other of the second pair of side walls 330b.
• a reinforcing layer may be applied to the upper portion 420 of one or both of the second pair of side walls 330a, 330b.
• a reinforcing layer is applied to at least the portion to which the handle 370 is attached, since the weight of the container and its contents are transmitted through the handle 370.
• the reinforcing layer may be made of cartonboard, for example in the form of a section fitting within the upper portion 420 of the second pair of side walls 330a, 330b.
• the handle 370 is preferably formed from a folded cut-out portion of the reinforcing layer.
• the reinforcing layer may be attached to either face of the upper portion 420.
• Overall dimensions of the container 100, 300 in the closed configuration as shown in figures 2 and 6 may typically be in the range of 10 to 30 cm to each side.
• Exemplary forms of the container may for example be configured to carry a wine bottle or a takeaway meal.
• the relative sizes of the side walls and base portion may therefore vary according to the required application.
• an internal liner may be additionally used, to provide a 2-ply construction for added strength and resistance to leakage.
• Such an inner liner may be provided in the form of a conventional open bag structure having dimensions fitting within the internal volume of the container in the closed configuration.
• FIG. 7 A third exemplary embodiment of a fold-flat paper-based container according to the invention is shown in figure 7.
• the container 700 comprises a base portion 710, a first pair of opposing side walls 720a, 720b and a second pair of opposing side walls 730a, 730b extending from the base portion 710 and joined along edges 770a-d.
• Sidewall 730b is higher than the other sidewalls, thus forming an upper portion 790 of sidewall 730b that extends from vertical fold line 78Od to the upper edge 78Oe of sidewall 730b.
• Diagonal and vertical fold lines 740a, 740b are provided on a lower portion and along a central line of the first pair of side walls 720a, 720b to allow the container 700 to be stored in a folded flat configuration before use, as for a conventional paper bag.
• the container 700 is shown in an open configuration in figure 7, in which it can be filled or emptied of its contents.
• a square section 765 (shown in perspective in figure 7) on an upper portion of each of the first pair 720a, 720b of side walls is defined by a horizontal fold line 760, the upper portions of edges 770b and 770 c (which join sidewalls 720a with 730a and 720b with
• the diagonal fold lines 750a and 750b extend between a centre point 766 of the square section 765 towards opposing lower corners 767a, 767b.
• handles 792 are provided as matching cut-outs 791 a-b in upper portions of each of the second pair 730a, 730b of side walls, and cut-out 791 c of the upper portion 790 of sidewall 730b and the handles 792 meeting when the container 700 is in the closed configuration shown in figure 8.
• the upper portion 793 of the folded container in figure 8 may be folded along fold line 794 to allow the container 700 to be reduced in height, for example when placed in a restricted height shelf location. Further the container 700 can be held firmly closed by use of glue points or adhesive strips on upper portion 793 for security when on a shelf.
• FIG. 9 A fourth exemplary embodiment of a fold-flat paper-based container according to the invention is shown in figure 9.
• the container 800 comprises a base portion 810, a first pair of opposing side walls 820a, 820b and a second pair of opposing side walls 830a, 830b extending from the base portion 810 and joined along edges 870a-d.
• Diagonal and vertical fold lines 840a, 840b are provided on a lower portion and along a central line of the first pair of side walls 820a, 820b to allow the container 800 to be stored in a folded flat configuration before use, as for a conventional paper bag.
• the container 800 is shown in an open configuration in figure 9, in which it can be filled or emptied of its contents.
• a square section 865 (shown in perspective in figure 9) on an upper portion of each of the first pair 820a, 820b of side walls is defined by a horizontal fold line 860, the portions of edges 870a-d between the horizontal fold line 860 and the horizontal fold line 880, and the horizontal fold line 880.
• the diagonal fold lines 850a and 850b extend between a centre point 866 of the square section 865 towards opposing lower corners 867a, 867b.
• matching cut-outs are provided as 891 d and 891 c in upper portions 890a, 890b of each of side walls 830a, 830b and cut-out 891a of sidewall 830a.
• sidewall 830b has a perforated line 891 b extending over fold line 891 e.
• fold line 891 e and perforated line 891 b forms a flap of similar size as cut out 891 a.
• Handles 892 are formed in the closed configuration in figure 10 by folding the flap defined by fold line 891 e and perforated line 891 b along fold line 891 e so that the flap is pushed through cut outs 891 a, 891 d, 891 c in the direction indicated by arrow 900, thus increasing the strength of handles 892.
• the upper portion 893 of the folded container in figure 10 may be folded along fold line 894 to allow the container 800 to be reduced in height, for example when placed in a restricted height shelf location. Further the container 800 can be held firmly closed by use of glue points or adhesive strips on upper portion 893 for security when on a shelf.
• FIG. 1 A fifth exemplary embodiment of a fold-flat paper-based container according to the invention is shown in figure 1 1.
• the container 1000 comprises a base portion 910, a first pair of opposing side walls 920a, 920b and a second pair of opposing side walls 930a, 930b extending from the base portion 910 and joined along edges 970a-d.
• An optional vertical fold line 940b is provided along a central line of the first pair of side walls 920a, 920b to allow the container 1000 to be stored in a folded flat configuration before use.
• the container 1000 is shown in an open configuration in figure 11 , in which it can be filled or emptied of its contents.
• a square section 965 (shown in perspective in figure 11 ) on an upper portion of each of the first pair 920a, 920b of side walls is defined by a horizontal fold line 960, the portions of edges 970a-d between the horizontal fold line 960 and the horizontal fold lines 980a and 980b, and the upper edges of sidewalls 920a and 920b.
• the diagonal fold lines 950a and 950b extend between a centre point 966 of the square section 965 towards opposing lower corners 967a, 967b.
• four matching cut-outs are provided as 991 a-d in upper portions 990a, 990b of each of side walls 930a, 930b.
• Handle 992 are formed when these cut-outs meet in the closed configuration in figure 12, i.e. when folding upper portion 990a of sidewall 930a along fold line 980a and folding upper portion 990b of sidewall 930b along fold line 980b.
• the upper portion 990a of sidewall 930a may be adhered to upper portion 993a after folding the container to the closed configuration, e.g. by means of an adhesive.
• the upper portion 990b of sidewall 930b may be adhered to upper portion 993b after folding the container to the closed configuration.
• the upper portions 893a and 893b of the folded container in figure 12 may be folded along fold line 994 to allow the container 1000 to be reduced in height, for example when placed in a restricted height shelf location.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Family Cites Families (11)

• 2008
  • 2008-09-25 GB GB0817577A patent/GB2463881A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2009
  • 2009-09-24 WO PCT/EP2009/062382 patent/WO2010034772A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-09-24 EP EP09783370.1A patent/EP2326563B1/de not_active Not-in-force

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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