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
  • 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
  • B65D5/02—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 by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
  • B65D5/029—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 by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body the tubular body presenting a 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
  • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
  • B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
  • B65D11/1846—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to 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
  • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D19/02—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets
  • B65D19/06—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
  • B65D19/18—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
• • 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
  • B65D5/02—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 by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
  • B65D5/12—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 by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed separately from tubular body
• • 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
  • B65D5/32—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 having bodies formed by folding and interconnecting two or more blanks each blank forming a body part, whereby each body part comprises at least one outside face of the box, carton or tray
  • B65D5/322—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 having bodies formed by folding and interconnecting two or more blanks each blank forming a body part, whereby each body part comprises at least one outside face of the box, carton or tray at least one container body part formed by folding a single blank to essentially U-shape with or without extensions which form openable lid elements
• • 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
  • B65D5/4266—Folding lines, score lines, crease lines
• • 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
  • B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
  • B65D65/38—Packaging materials of special type or form
  • B65D65/40—Applications of laminates for particular packaging purposes
  • B65D65/403—Applications of laminates for particular packaging purposes with at least one corrugated layer
• • 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
  • B65D2301/00—Details of blanks
  • B65D2301/20—Details of blanks made of plastic material
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00009—Materials
  • B65D2519/00014—Materials for the load supporting surface
  • B65D2519/00034—Plastic
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00009—Materials
  • B65D2519/00049—Materials for the base surface
  • B65D2519/00069—Plastic
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00009—Materials
  • B65D2519/00154—Materials for the side walls
  • B65D2519/00174—Plastic
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00009—Materials
  • B65D2519/00189—Materials for the lid or cover
  • B65D2519/00208—Plastic
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
  • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
  • B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
  • B65D2519/00338—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a discrete foot-like 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
  • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
  • B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
  • B65D2519/00407—Integral, e.g. ribs on the load supporting surface
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
  • B65D2519/00492—Overall construction of the side walls
  • B65D2519/00497—Overall construction of the side walls whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00547—Connections
  • B65D2519/00577—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other
  • B65D2519/00616—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures not intended to be disassembled
  • B65D2519/00621—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures not intended to be disassembled sidewalls directly connected to 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00547—Connections
  • B65D2519/00706—Connections structures connecting the lid or cover to the side walls or corner posts
  • B65D2519/00711—Connections structures connecting the lid or cover to the side walls or corner posts removable lid or covers
• • 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
  • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
  • B65D2519/00736—Details
  • B65D2519/00776—Accessories for manipulating the pallet
  • B65D2519/00786—Accessories for manipulating the pallet for lifting, e.g. hooks, loops
  • B65D2519/00791—Accessories for manipulating the pallet for lifting, e.g. hooks, loops handles, handgrip holes

Definitions

• the invention relates to a foldable container and to a method for manufacturing and use of a foldable container.
• a foldable container for storing materials including eat products such as poultry.
• EP1919781B1 describes an octagonal container having side walls, end walls, and diagonal corner panels between adjacent side walls and end walls.
• the main bottom flaps are foldably connected to a bottom edge of the side walls
• the small bottom flaps are foldably connected to a bottom edge of the end walls
• the diagonal bottom flaps are foldably connected to a bottom edge of the diagonal corner panels.
• a cut separates each major bottom flap from an adjacent diagonal bottom flap, and a web panel connects adjacent side edges of the small bottom flaps and diagonal bottom flaps.
• the container described in EP1919781 is disadvantageous because it cannot be completely and securely sealed from below.
• the present invention aims to resolve at least some of the problems mentioned above.
• the present invention relates to a foldable container for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, according to claim 1.
• Preferred embodiments of the foldable container are provided in claims 2 to 9.
• a container comprises at least two foldable sheets that may be identical, each comprising a plurality of rectangular walls connected by foldable lines, each wall comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, each bottom edge is connected to a flap by a foldable line, wherein the flaps are preferably not connected to one another.
• the lines are predefined by weakening the material across said lines.
• the lines are foldable in one predefined direction.
• Each sheet comprises a left side edge and a right side edge.
• Each side edge of each sheet is configured to be connected to another side edge of another sheet via a mounting wall to form a folded container without a base.
• the flaps are configured to form the base when folding said flaps.
• the mounting wall comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is connected to a flap by a foldable line, wherein the flap is preferably not connected to other flaps.
• the container has a first thickness at the foldable lines and a second thickness elsewhere, wherein the first thickness is at least 10% smaller than the second thickness. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a smaller thickness at the foldable lines facilitates folding the container, such that the container would not break at the foldable lines.
• the container may comprise three layers, a middle layer comprising a reinforced structure, such as for example a cellular structure sandwiched between a flat top layer and a flat bottom layer.
• a reinforced structure such as for example a cellular structure sandwiched between a flat top layer and a flat bottom layer.
• a reinforced structure having 10% less thickness at the foldable lines than elsewhere can easily bend so as to define the foldable lines. It is further an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a defined and reinforced structure can bend without breaking.
• Each rectangular wall has a length defined by the distance between the two foldable lines said wall falls in between.
• the length of the rectangular walls and the number of said walls may be configured to give a stable structure. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a four or a multiple of four rectangular walls provide a stable structure. It is further an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that an octagonal container provides a stable structure.
• the connection between each side edge of each sheet to another side edge of another sheet via a mounting wall may be a welded connection. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that welded connections are durable and resistant against breaking.
• the flaps may be reinforced by a removable attachment made of a material such as for example silicon, rubber, neoprene, or polyvinyl chloride. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the attachment provides watertight closure.
• the sheets can be folded and assembled to construct the container. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the foldable container can be easily and more efficiently stored and transported in its compact unfolded state (e.g. when not in use) compared to its folded state (e.g. when in use).
• the container may further comprise a lid, wherein the lid is configured to removably fit on top of the top edges of the folded container. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the lid is fitted on top of the folded container so as to securely close the container, such that insects are kept away from getting in the container, such that the smell of the materials in the container remains in the container.
• the container may further comprise a pallet, said pallet configured to receive the folded container, wherein the pallet has at least four recesses wherein at least four flaps are insertably connected. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the folded container is fixed to the pallet to provide a stable base for said container. It is further an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the folded flaps form a base together with the pallet, which results in securely storing the materials and minimizes or prevent any leaks from below.
• the container and the lid are made of a plastic material.
• a plastic material is typically waterproof.
• Said material may be a material such as for example polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, or a combination thereof. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that polypropylene is reusable, food-grade and washable, has good break and tear resistance, is easy to work with, has a high rigidity, is water and moisture resistant, a good chemical resistance and high compression strength, is light, soundproof and ecological.
• the pallet may be made of a plastic material such as for example polyethylene and high density polyethylene, or a combination thereof.
• the pallet is strong enough to provide support to the container e.g. the pallet having reinforced feet.
• foldable containers and lids may be made of polypropylene, such that they can be washable, disinfectable, and reusable.
• the pallet may be made of high-density polyethylene, such that it can be washable, disinfectable, and reusable.
• the container and the lid are made of polypropylene, and the pallet is made of high-density polyethylene.
• the pallet may also be washable, disinfectable and reusable, and having other similar advantages and properties as the lid and/or the container.
• the container, lid, and pallet are waterproof, such that any liquid or semi-liquid material can be securely stored.
• the folded container has four or a multiple of four rectangular walls. More preferably, the folded container is octagonal.
• the angle between any two walls connected by a foldable line is at least 90 degrees, more preferably more than 120 degrees, most preferably 135 degrees. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that an angle of or around 135 degrees between any two walls connected by a foldable line in the octagonal folded container provides a more stable structure, e.g. such that the foldable lines are and less likely to break when in fullload.
• the at least two sheets may be substituted by one sheet having at least four rectangular walls, preferably four or a multiple of four rectangular walls, and is capable of forming a container by connecting one side edge to the other side edge via a mounting wall.
• Said connection may be a welded connection.
• the present invention relates to a kit for manufacturing a foldable container suitable for storing materials including meat products such as poultry according to claims 10. Preferred embodiments are provided in claim 11.
• the kit comprises two foldable sheets that may be identical, configured as a foldable container.
• the kit may comprise a lid, and may further comprise a pallet, configured to be integrated with the foldable container. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the kit may be used by the user to assemble the container, cover said container by the lid, and/or fit said container on the pallet, in a quick, efficient, and easy way.
• the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a foldable container suitable for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, according to claim 12. Preferred embodiments are provided in claims 13 to 14.
• the method comprises the step of providing at least one sheet of a plastic material, wherein the at least one sheet has a left side edge, a right side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge.
• the method further comprises the step of weakening said at least one sheet across a foldable line, so as to obtain a top part and a bottom part, wherein the top part is longer than the bottom part.
• the method further comprises the step of weakening said top part across foldable lines, so as to obtain a plurality of rectangular walls.
• the method further comprises the step of breaking said bottom part across breaking lines, so as to obtain a plurality of flaps.
• the method further comprises providing a mounting wall on one side edge of the at least one sheet, said mounting wall capable of connecting to one another side edge of the same or another sheet, so as to form a folded container.
• the method may further comprise the step of providing a lid, said lid capable of removably fitting on top of the top edge of the folded container.
• the method may further comprise the step of providing a pallet, said pallet capable of insertably receiving some of said plurality of flaps into at least four recesses defined on said pallet.
• the present invention relates to a use of a foldable container according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or a use of a kit according to the second aspect of the present invention and/or a use of a method according to the third aspect of the present invention, for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, according to claim 15.
• Fig. 1-13 show an octagonal foldable container for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, or parts of such a container, supported by a pallet, and covered by a lid, according to embodiments of the invention.
• Fig. 1 shows a foldable sheet (7) according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a foldable sheet (7) according to Fig. 1, connected to another identical foldable sheet (8) according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 3 shows two identical foldable sheets (7, 8) of Fig. 2 connected to one another and folded to form a container (1) without a base, according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows two identical foldable sheets (7, 8) of Fig. 3 folded to form a container (1) with a base (14), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 6 shows a bottom view of the base (14) of Fig. 4, according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 7 a shows the flaps (6), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 7 b shows a cross section of the container (1) across a foldable line (30), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 7 c) shows a cross section of the container (1) across a breaking line (31), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 8 shows a container (1) placed on a pallet (27), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 9 shows a bottom view of the base (14), wherein the flaps (6) are reinforced by a removable attachment (25), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show an example of a foldable container (1), without and with a removable attachment (25), respectively, further comprising a lid (26), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show an example of a foldable container (1), without and with a removable attachment (25), respectively, further comprising two recesses (28) for handling said container (1), according to embodiments of the present invention.
• the present invention concerns a foldable container for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, and a method of manufacturing and use of said container.
• a contaminant refers to one or more than one contaminant.
• the value to which the modifier "about” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.
• container refers to a container suitable for storing and/or transportation of bulk goods.
• Such bulk goods can be any materials, such as for example meat products such as for example poultry.
• Containers are used in industry for the storage of up to 900 kg or more of bulk goods, including but not limited to liquid or semi-liquid products, such as for example crushed poultry.
• a pallet can support one or more layers of objects such as containers, preferably having a perimeter close to that of the pallet.
• the pallet is made of preferably a washable material, preferably from a plastic material. For example, the pallet can be washed after use and, if desired, also disinfected and then reused under hygienic conditions.
• the pallet is waterproof.
• polyethylene and more preferably high density polyethylene is selected as the material of a pallet.
• An embodiment of a pallet in high-density polyethylene is lightweight and can, for example, be designed in a weight of only 9 to 12 kg.
• the pallet is preferably stackable and even more preferably the pallet is nestable.
• Nestable and watertight plastic pallets with a high load-bearing capacity, for instance a load-bearing capacity of 1200 kg, are very suitable to be used to support a bulk container according to the invention.
• a plastic pallet is preferably designed such that it is strong enough to be placed in a drive-in rack without support in the middle. To obtain good nestability, an upstand or nest height of 40 to 60 mm from a pallet is very suitable.
• the pallet according to the present invention is preferably lightweight.
• the present invention relates to a foldable container for storing materials including meat products such as poultry
• the container (1) is made of a plastic material
• the container (1) comprises at least two foldable sheets (7, 8), each comprising a plurality of rectangular walls (2) connected by foldable lines (30), each wall (2) comprises a top edge (5) and a bottom edge (4), each bottom edge (4) is connected to a flap (6) by a foldable line (30), each sheet (7, 8) comprising a left side edge and a right side edge, wherein each side edge of each sheet is configured to be connected to another side edge of another sheet via a mounting wall (9) to form a folded container (1) without a base, and wherein the flaps (6) are configured to form the base (14) when folding said flaps (6), wherein the foldable lines (30) are predefined by weakening the material across said lines (30), the lines (30) are foldable in one predefined direction, wherein the container (1) has a first thickness at the foldable lines (30) and a second thickness elsewhere, wherein the container (1) has
• the container comprises at least two foldable sheets that may be identical, each comprising a plurality of rectangular walls connected by foldable lines, each wall comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, each bottom edge is connected to a flap by a foldable line, wherein the flaps are preferably not connected to one another.
• Each sheet comprises a left side edge and a right side edge, wherein each side edge of each sheet is configured to be connected to another side edge of another sheet via a mounting wall to form a folded container without a base.
• the mounting wall may already be part of the container.
• the flaps are configured to form the base when folding said flaps.
• the folded container has four or a multiple of four rectangular walls.
• the mounting wall comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is connected to a flap by a foldable line, wherein the flap is preferably not connected to other flaps.
• the angle between two walls connected by a foldable line is between 0 and 180 at all times. When the container is in use, the angle between two walls connected by a foldable line is at least 90 degrees.
• Each rectangular wall has a length defined by the distance between the two foldable lines in which said wall falls in between.
• the length of the rectangular walls and the number of said walls may be configured so as to maximize the volume in the folded container while in the same time providing a stable structure.
• the folded container has four walls, wherein the length of said walls may be configured to give a stable structure.
• the folded container is octagonal, wherein the length of the walls in said octagonal container may be configured to give a stable structure.
• connection between each side edge of each sheet to another side edge of another sheet via a mounting wall is a welded connection.
• the compactness of this invention is space-saving and thus is advantageous for storage, as compared to a non-foldable container, wherein air is stored in the empty spaces.
• air is stored in the empty spaces.
• less storage space is required and a larger number of empty containers in the form of sheets can be transported with means of transport e.g. a truck.
• the foldable lines are predefined by weakening the material across said lines, wherein the lines are foldable in one predefined direction.
• the container has a first thickness at the foldable lines, and a second thickness elsewhere, wherein the first thickness is at least 10% smaller than the second thickness. More preferably the first thickness is at least 30% smaller than the second thickness.
• the container is made of three layers, a middle layer comprising a reinforced structure such as for example cellular structure, sandwiched between a flat top layer, and a flat bottom layers.
• the reinforced structure has a different thickness at the foldable lines, at least 10% less than elsewhere on said container, and preferably 30% less than elsewhere on said container.
• the flaps may be reinforced by a removable attachment made of a material such as for example silicon, rubber, neoprene, or polyvinyl chloride.
• the flaps are reinforced by a removable attachment made of rubber.
• suitable rubber types are natural rubber and nitrile butadiene rubber.
• Said removable attachment of one flap may overlap partially with that of another flap when folding the container, which facilitates closing the container e.g. watertight closure.
• Said attachment may provide a complete closure e.g. watertight closure to the base of said container. Such attachment facilitates the closure of the base of said container.
• the container is made of a plastic material.
• the container is waterproof.
• the container is preferably made of a plastic such as for example polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, or a combination thereof. More preferably, the container is made of polypropylene, most preferably extruded polypropylene sheet with cellular structure.
• the container may further comprise a lid, wherein the lid is configured to removably fit on top of the top edges of the folded container.
• the lid helps to securely close the container.
• the lid is made of a plastic waterproof material.
• the lid is made of polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, or a combination thereof.
• the lid is made of polypropylene.
• two folded containers can also be stacked on top of one another whether or not they are filled.
• the lid comprises a continuous rim or flange all around, which lid and rim or flange are preferably dimensioned and shaped to provide a form-fitting seal when placed on the top edges of the folded container.
• the container may further comprise a pallet, said pallet configured to receive the folded container, wherein the pallet has at least four recesses wherein at least four flaps are insertably connected.
• the pallet provides support to the container. Together with the folded flaps, the container is sealed from below, so as to minimize any leak from below.
• the pallet is made of a plastic waterproof material such as for example polyethylene and high density polyethylene, or a combination thereof. More preferably, the pallet is made of high density polyethylene.
• the folded container with the folded flaps comprises both the pallet and the lid, so as to securely store the materials and prevent any leaks from below. Folding the container, folding the flaps, placing the container on the pallet, and placing the lid, can be done by the user.
• foldable container has four or a multiple of four rectangular walls.
• the foldable container is octagonal.
• the angle between any two walls connected by a foldable line is preferably 135 degrees. Such an angle provides stability and prevents the container from breaking at the foldable lines, especially when in full-load e.g. when loading 500 or 1000 kg or more of products in the container.
• the at least two sheets are substituted by one sheet.
• Said sheet has four or a multiple of four rectangular walls and two side edges, and is capable of forming a container by connecting one side edge to the other side edge via a mounting wall. More preferably, the one sheet results in an octagonal container when folded.
• the container is provided at the bottom of a wall with a valve which is suitable for unloading from the container when desired when the valve is opened without the container having to be e.g. tipped over for this purpose. Additionally, the chance of damaging the sheets, more specifically the walls of the container, is a lot smaller since the container does not need to be tipped over in order to unload the container.
• Fig. 1 shows a foldable sheet (7) made of a plastic according to embodiments of the present invention.
• the sheet (7) comprises four walls (2), each wall (2) comprising a top edge (5) and a bottom edge (4).
• Each bottom edge (4) is connected to a flap (6) by a foldable line (30).
• the container (1) further comprises a left side edge and a right side edge, wherein the left side edge of each sheet is connected to a mounting wall (9).
• the mounting wall (9) has a top edge (12) and a bottom edge (11), wherein the bottom edge (11) is connected to a flap (13) by a foldable line (30).
• the mounting wall (9) may be connected to the right side edge.
• Fig. 2 shows a foldable sheet (7) according to Fig. 1, connected to another identical foldable sheet (8) according to embodiments of the present invention.
• the sheets (7, 8) may be connected to each other using welded joints (24).
• the mounting wall (9) of one sheet (7) is connected to the right side edge of the other sheet (8) by means of welded joints (24).
• the welded joints (24) are point-shaped.
• the choice of a plastic material allows the sheets (7, 8) to be connected with welded joints (24).
• Fig. 3 shows two identical foldable sheets (7, 8) of Fig. 2 connected to one another and folded to form a container (1) without a base, by connecting the mounting wall (9) of each sheet to the right side edge of the other sheet, by means of welded joints (24).
• the welded joints (24) are point-shaped. The choice of a plastic material allows the left side edge and right side edge of each sheet (7, 8) to be connected to the other sheet with welded joints (24) to form a folded container
• Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows two identical foldable sheets (7, 8) of Fig. 3 folded to form a container (1) with a base (14).
• a base (14) for said container (1) is formed by folding the flaps (6) inward, preferably to form an angle of 90 degrees with the walls
• the container rests on a pallet (27), wherein the pallet (27) has at least four recesses (29) wherein at least four flaps (6) are insertably connected.
• the flaps (6) are not connected in Fig. 4 to said recesses (29), and are connected in Fig. 5 to said recesses (29).
• the pallet (27) is nestable and is made of a plastic material.
• Fig. 6 shows a bottom view of the base (14) of Fig. 4.
• a preferred angle of 135 degrees according to embodiments of the present invention is formed between each two walls (2) connected by a foldable line (30).
• Fig. 7 a shows the flaps (6) connected to the walls (2), wherein the walls are connected to one another by foldable lines (30) A-A, and the flaps are disconnected from one another by breaking lines (31) B-B.
• Fig. 7 b, c) shows a cross section of the container (1) across a foldable line (30) A- A and a breaking line (31) B-B, respectively.
• the container (1) comprises three layers, a middle layer comprising a reinforced structure, sandwiched between a flat top layer and a flat bottom layer.
• a reinforced structure may be easily bent during manufacturing e.g. while the plastic is being fabricated and formed, so as to define the foldable lines (30).
• the container (1) has a firs thickness at the foldable lines, and a second thickness elsewhere, wherein the first thickness is at least 10% less than the second thickness.
• the breaking lines (31) are defined so as to obtain flexibility of movement for one flap (6) with respect to other flaps (6).
• Fig. 8 shows a container (1) placed on a pallet (27), wherein the flaps (6) are reinforced by a removable attachment (25) and made of materials according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 9 shows a bottom view of the base (14), wherein away from the bottom edges (4), the flaps (6) are reinforced by a removable attachment (25) and are made of materials according to embodiments of the present invention.
• a preferred angle of 135 degrees according to embodiments of the present invention is formed between each two walls (2) connected by a foldable line (30).
• Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show an example of a foldable container (1), without and with a removable attachment (25), respectively, further comprising a lid (26) resting on the top edges (5) of the container (1) according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show an example of a foldable container (1), without and with a removable attachment (25), respectively, further comprising two recesses (28) for handling said container (1).
• Two opposite walls (2, 2') are provided each with a recess (28) in the vicinity of the top edges (5) and away from the bottom edges (4).
• the two recesses (28) are dimensioned so that a person's hand fits into each recess (28).
• the present invention relates to a kit for manufacturing a foldable container suitable for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, comprising two foldable sheets according to the first aspect.
• the kit comprises two foldable sheets that may be identical. Said sheets are provided with predefined foldable lines. The sheets can be constructed by folding the walls and the flaps at the foldable lines, to obtain a folded container.
• a user can choose whenever desirable to manufacture a container according to the first aspect of the present invention.
• the kit comprises a lid.
• Said lid is configured to fit on the top edges of the folded box.
• the kit comprises a pallet. Said pallet is configured to receive the foldable container.
• the pallet of the kit is preferably nestable.
• the pallet of the kit is provided with a gasket that is sized so as to make the base of the container watertight when placed on the pallet.
• the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a foldable container suitable for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, the method comprises the steps of: providing at least one sheet of a plastic material, wherein the at least one sheet has a left side edge, a right side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge;
• the method comprises a number of steps.
• the method comprises the step of providing at least one sheet of a plastic material, wherein the at least one sheet has a left side edge, a right side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge.
• the method further comprises the step of weakening said at least one sheet across a foldable line, so as to obtain a top part and a bottom part, wherein the top part is longer than the bottom part.
• the weakening can be achieved by bending said sheet at a predefined foldable line.
• the method further comprises the step of weakening said top part across foldable lines, so as to obtain a plurality of rectangular walls.
• the weakening can be achieved by bending said top part at predefined foldable lines.
• the method further comprises the step of breaking said bottom part across breaking lines so as to obtain a plurality of flaps.
• the breaking can be achieved by breaking said bottom part at predefined breaking lines.
• the method further comprises the step of providing a mounting wall on one side edge of the at least one sheet.
• the mounting wall is capable of connecting to one another side edge of the same or another sheet, so as to form a folded container. Connecting said mounting wall to another side edge of the same or another sheet may be done using welded connections.
• the method may further comprise providing a lid.
• the lid is capable of removably fitting on the folded container.
• the method may further comprise providing a pallet.
• the pallet is capable of insertably receiving some of said plurality of flaps into at least four recesses defined on said pallet.
• the present invention relates to a use of a foldable container according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or a use of a kit according to the second aspect of the present invention and/or a use of a method according to the third aspect of the present invention, for storing materials including meat products such as poultry, according to claim 15. Owing to its washable and, according to preferred embodiments, even waterproof character, a foldable container according to the first aspect of the present invention is particularly suitable for hygienic storage of poultry meat.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Pallets (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=73451955

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2020
  • 2020-09-23 BE BE20205655A patent/BE1028634B1/nl active IP Right Grant
• 2021
  • 2021-09-23 WO PCT/EP2021/076236 patent/WO2022063916A1/en unknown
  • 2021-09-23 EP EP21782965.4A patent/EP4217278A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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