EP4313782A1

EP4313782A1 - Blank for forming a package and methods for moving a package from one state to another

Info

Publication number: EP4313782A1
Application number: EP22774455.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel AXELSSON
Original assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
Current assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
Priority date: 2021-03-26
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: WO2022201010A1; SE2150374A1; EP4313782A4; SE544772C2

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a blank (100) configured to form a package (10) being capable of assuming a flattened state (200) and a box state (600). The blank (100) comprises a bottom panel (102), two opposing side wall panels (104, 105), two opposing sets of end wall panels (106, 107) and a set of corner panels (108), wherein each set of end wall panels (106, 107) comprises a first and a second end wall panel (106, 107a, 106b, 107b). Each second end wall panel (106b, 107b) comprises a locking tab (116, 117) and each set of corner panels (108) comprises a cut-out (128) being configured to receive the locking tab (116, 117) of the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) and thereby provide a locking mechanism keeping the package (10) formed from the blank (100) in the flattened state (200). The invention also relates to methods for moving a package from one state to another.

Description

BLANK FOR FORMING A PACKAGE AND METHODS FOR MOVING A PACKAGE FROM ONE STATE TO ANOTHER

Field of invention

The disclosure relates to a blank configured to form a package being capable of assuming a flattened state and a box state. The disclosure also relates to a method for moving the package formed of the blank from the box state to the flattened state. The disclosure also relates to a method for moving the package formed of the blank from the flattened state to the box state. Technical Background

When designing a package, it is often desirous to take into account a number of different design criteria. The package should e.g. often be designed such that it makes efficient use of the material, is formed of one single blank, is easy to transport to the point of use, is easy to prepare for use, and provides a strong structure.

It is often desirous that the package should be capable of being folded into a box state and being strong during handling and stable in the box state. Further, it may be desirous that the package should be capable of being folded into a flattened state from the box state and being stable in the flattened state. Moreover, it should often be capable of being folded into the box state or the flattened state without the use of any adhesive or any similar means of keeping the package in the box state or in the flattened state, or at least with a minimum use of such adhesive or similar means.

When designing a package being capable of being folded into the box state or the flattened state, it is often desirous that the package may be locked in a simple manner in the box state or the flattened state. When designing packages, it is typically desirous to consider also other aspects, such as that it sometimes is desirous that it should be easy to stack on other packages of the similar design. Packages made from cardboard are beneficial since they do not take up much space before they are erected, during for example transport. There exist numerous attempts to address the above design criteria in connection to designing a package of cardboard material.

To address this, for instance JP53135241 U1 discloses a box formed of a single blank. The blank comprises a bottom panel, two side wall panels, two sets of end wall panels and corner panels. The box is arranged to be in a folded state or in a flattened state. However, when the box is in the flattened state, there is not provided any satisfactory locking mechanism to keep the box in the flattened state.

Thus, the prior art does not adequately address the set of design criteria that the package should make efficient use of the material, be formed of one single blank, be easy to erect, be locked in a simple manner in the box state and in the flattened state, and provide a strong structure, while being capable of being moved from the box state to the flattened state, or the opposite, and being kept in the respective state without the use of any adhesive or any similar means, or at least with a minimum use of such adhesive or similar means, while also being easy to stack.

Summary of invention

It is an object of the disclosure to provide a package which addresses at least some of the set of design criteria described above, namely that the package should make efficient use of the material, be formed of one single blank, be easy to erect, be locked in a simple manner in the box state and in the flattened state, and provide a strong structure, while being capable of being moved from the box state to the flattened state, or the opposite, and being kept in the respective state without the use of any adhesive or any similar means, or at least with a minimum use of such adhesive or similar means, while also being easy to stack.

This object has been achieved by a blank configured to form a package being capable of assuming a flattened state and a box state, the blank comprising: a bottom panel, two opposing side wall panels being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides of the bottom panel, two opposing sets of end wall panels being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides of the bottom panel, wherein each set of end wall panels comprises a first end wall panel and a second end wall panel foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other as seen along a longitudinal direction, wherein each set of end wall panels is configured to form a double-walled end wall when the package formed from the blank is in a box state, wherein the first end wall panel is connected to the bottom panel and is configured to form an outer surface of the double-walled end wall, and the second end wall panel is connected to the first end wall panel, at a side opposing the bottom panel, and is configured to form an inside surface of the double-walled end wall, a set of corner panels, each corner panel interconnecting the respective side wall panel with the respective first end wall panel at a respective corner of the bottom panel, wherein each corner panel comprises an inclined fold line extending along a virtual line extending diagonally away from the respective corner of the bottom panel, the inclined fold line allowing the package formed from the blank to be positioned in a box state, in which the side wall panels and the first end wall panels extend upwardly from the bottom panel, and in a flattened state, in which the side wall panels are folded inwardly and downwardly towards the bottom panel, and the first end wall panels are folded outwardly, wherein each second end wall panel comprises a locking tab, the locking tab forming part of a transversely extending free edge of the second end wall panel being opposite to the respective first end wall panel and the locking tab extending longitudinally away surrounding portions of from the free edge of the second end wall panel as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, wherein each corner panel comprises a cut-out being positioned on a longitudinally extending outer free edge being opposite to the respective first end wall panel as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, the longitudinally extending outer free edge being configured to be folded inwardly as the package is folded towards the flattened state, wherein the cut-out is within a distance from the side wall panel being less than 25% of the corner panel’s longitudinal extension, wherein the second end wall panels are folded inwardly such that the respective cut-out receives the respective locking tab of the respective second end wall panel when the package is in the flattened state and thereby provide a locking mechanism keeping the package formed from the blank in the flattened state.

With such a design, there is provided a blank for forming a package having a bottom panel, two double-walled end walls and two side wall panels. Thus, the package may, and preferably is, formed from one single blank. The package is designed to be in a box state or in a flattened state. Especially, the package is designed to be moved between the box state and the flattened state in an easy way. With the disclosed design, especially in an embodiment where one blank comprises all components, it is facilitated to provide a package which makes efficient use of the material and at the same time is easy to erect into the package as well as to move between the box state and the flattened state. The package may be folded into the box state from either a flat-laid state of the blank or the flattened state of the package. The package may be moved into the flattened state from the box state. It is preferred that the bottom panel, the two opposing side wall panels, the two opposing sets of end wall panels and the set of corner panels extend along a single common plane, as seen in the flat-laid state of the blank.

With such a design, where the first and second end wall panels are configured to be folded relative to each other to form the double-walled end wall, the provision of a strong structure is facilitated. It may be noted that the double-walled end wall will for parts of its planar extension include more than two layers of material; the first and second end wall panels and for instance a set of corner panels which may be positioned between the first and second end wall panels when the package is in the box state. However, the term double-walled is here intended to refer to the fact that the end wall is formed of two major end wall panels being connected to and folded relative to each other.

Having the cut-out positioned close to the side wall panel provides for that the locking tab may be inserted into the cut-out without the need of bending the locking tab or the second end wall panel in order to being able to insert the locking tab into the cut-out. By being able to insert the locking tab into the cut-out without bending the locking tab or the second end wall panel provides for a package which is easy to move to the flattened state as well as easy to lock in the flattened state. Preferably, the locking tab is inserted into the cut-out to such an extent that about 25% to 75% of the locking tab’s longitudinal extension is inserted into the cut-out. Thereby the locking tab is kept in place when the package is in the flattened state and is insertable into the cut-out in an easy way. Preferably, the set of corner panels is designed such that when the package is in the box state or in the flattened state, the set of corner panels is positioned between the first and second end wall panels. The set of corner panels may be designed to guide the respective side wall panel and the respective first end wall panel when the package is moved from the box state to the flattened state, or the opposite. Thus, since the side wall panels are interconnected with the respective first end wall panel via the corner panels in combination with that the corner panels are provided with the inclined fold line a movement of the first end wall panels outwardly will be transferred to an inward movement of the side wall panels. The term “at the respective corner of the bottom panel” is herein meant in the geometrical area formed outside of the geometrical extensions of the intersecting fold lines formed between the bottom panel and the side wall panel, respectively between the bottom panel and the first end wall panel at the respective corner.

With such a design, where the respective cut-out is configured to receive the respective locking tab of the respective second end wall panel, when the package is in the flattened state, provides for that the package is kept in place in the flattened state. The locking tab and cut-out may be said to together form a locking mechanism by which the package is securely kept in place in the flattened state. Thus, the locking mechanism provides for a distinct locking of the package when the package is in the flattened state without using any adhesive or similar means. By having a cut-out on each side wall panel such that respective locking tab may, and preferably is, received by two cut-outs provides for a strong and stable locking mechanism when the package is in the flattened state. By having the cut-outs positioned on the longitudinally extending free edge provides for that the respective cut out is an open-ended cut-out such that the locking tab may be received by the respective cut-out in an easy and user-friendly way. In addition, the open- ended cut-outs may guide the locking tab such that the locking tab is positioned in a correct way when the package is moved from the box state to the flattened state.

The respective cut-out may comprise a first and a second edge surface each having an extension with at least a main component along a transverse direction, wherein the edge surfaces preferably are angled such that a distance between the cut-out of the respective corner panel and the respective side wall panel decreases with increasing depth of the cut-out, the depth being measured from the longitudinally extending outer free edge towards the first end wall panel.

The angled edge surfaces may be angled an angle a between 1 and 20 degrees relative to a transverse direction.

It may be noted that the angle of the two edges defining the cut-out does not need to be the same. It is e.g. conceivable that the edge being further away from the side wall panel, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, may have a slightly larger angle such that the mouth of the cut-out becomes slightly wider than the bottom of the cut-out. This may be beneficial to facilitate insertion of the locking tab into the cut-out, while still providing a distinct locking mechanism.

The respective inclined fold line of the respective corner panel may extend in a direction away from the respective corner of the bottom panel between a starting point and an end point, the starting point and end point being positioned on the virtual line, wherein the end point is positioned at a distance from an outer corner of the corner panel and wherein the respective corner panel is provided with a cut or perforation extending transversally from the end point to the longitudinally extending outer free edge.

Preferably, the starting point is positioned in the corner of the bottom panel such that a tight corner is provided. It should be noted that the starting point may be positioned at a distance from the corner of the bottom panel with an inner portion of the corner panel being cut-away such that a drainage may be formed. The cut or perforation provided from the end-point in the respective corner panel provides for that the outer portion of the corner panel may by the folding operation be released along the cut or perforation such that the set of corner panels may be folded about the inclined fold line and be kept flat when positioned between the first and second end wall panels, both in the box state and in the flattened state. The cut or perforation provides for that the set of corner panels may be folded along the inclined fold line as well as being positioned in the intended position, in the respective state, in an easy way. Thus, the cut or perforation provides for that the package may be moved from one state to the other in an easy way as well as that the package may be strong and stable in the respective state.

The blank may further comprise a cut-out in the respective second end wall panel forming handles.

Preferably, the cut-outs are completely surrounded by the respective second end wall panel such that a strong and stable handle is formed. In a preferred embodiment, the cut-out is arranged to be used as a handle when the package is moved from one state to the other. Thus, a user may insert one or more fingers in the cut-out and move the second end wall panel outwardly and/or upwardly whereby the other components of the blank follow the movement of the respective second end wall panel into their predetermined positions. The predetermined positions depend on if the package is moved to the box state or to the flattened state. By moving the second end wall panel, the other components of the blank may, and preferably will, follow the movement of the respective second end wall panel because of the set of corner panels and their interconnection with the respective side wall panel and with the respective first end wall panel at the respective corner of the bottom panel, as discussed above. Thereby, there is achieved a package which is easy to move from one state to another.

The blank may further comprise locking recess in the bottom panel or in a fold line between the bottom panel and the first end wall panel, the locking recess being configured to receive the locking tab when the package formed of the blank is in the box state.

The locking tab being configured to be removably insertable into the locking recess when the blank has been erected to form the package in the box state or when the package has been moved from the flattered state to the box state. With the disclosed design, wherein the locking tab is configured to be inserted into the locking recess, the package may be kept in place when the package is in the box state. This facilitates provision of a stable package when in the box state. This facilitates provision of keeping the package in the box state without the use of any adhesive or any similar means, or at least with a minimum use of such adhesive or similar means. Thus, the locking tab is arranged to lock the package both the box state and the flattened state; in the box state together with the locking recess, and in the flattered state together with the cut-out.

The blank may further comprise a double fold line between the first end wall panel and the second end wall panel, the double fold line comprising a first fold line being positioned closest to the first end wall panel and a second fold line, the first and second fold lines defining an intermediate panel, and the blank may further comprise a cut-out defining a guiding tab extending from the second fold line and occupying a portion of the intermediate panel, the guiding tab extends upwardly away from the double-walled end wall when the package formed from the blank is in the box state.

The blank may further comprise a guiding recess in the bottom panel or in the fold line between the bottom panel and the first end wall panel, the guiding recess being configured to receive the guiding tab of another package formed of a another blank of the same kind being in a box state.

With such a design, there is provided a possibility of stacking packages in an easy and stable way. The guiding recess of the package and the guiding tab of the other package may form a stacking mechanism such that the packages being stacked in a correct way. Preferably, the guiding tab and guiding recess are positioned in relation to each other such that when the guiding tab is inserted into the guiding recess, the packages are centered in relation to each other. Further, the intermediate panel may form a strong and stable base for the other package when stacked on the package. Thereby, the disclosed design provides for a stable stacking of packages.

The blank may further comprise a release cut-out in the transversely extending free edge of the second end wall panel being opposite to the respective first end wall panel, the release cut-out having a bottom forming part of the transversely extending free edge and being positioned such that there is provided a distance between the bottom of the release cut-out and the bottom panel when the package formed of the blank is in the box state.

The release cut-out is positioned such that it will be in register with the guiding recess when the package formed of the blank is in the box state. The release cut-out provides for that the guiding recess is not covered by the transversely extending free edge of the second end wall panel when the package is in the box state. Thus, the release cut-out provides for that the guiding recess is able to receive the guiding tab when stacking packages. Preferably, the depth of the release cut-out may be equal to or larger than the height of the guiding tab, as measured along the longitudinal direction as seen in the flat-laid state of the blank, such that the guiding tab may be able to be completely received by the guiding recess without risking that the transversely extending free edge of the second end wall panel interferes when stacking packages.

The respective transversely extending free edge may be provided with abutment portions on each side of the locking tab, the abutment portions may be configured to abut a first major surface of the bottom panel when the package formed of the blank is in the box state.

Which such a design, there is provided a strong and stable structure for the respective double-walled end walls formed from the sets of end wall panels when the package is in the box state.

The locking tab may be provided with inclined flanks extending with a major component along the longitudinal direction and being angled such that a width of the locking tab, as measured along a transverse direction, decreases with increasing distance from the first end wall panel.

Having the locking tab provided with the inclined flanks provides for an improved locking mechanism between the locking tab and the cut-out when the package is in the flattened state. The inclined flanks may act as a guiding feature when the locking tab is inserted into the cut-outs when the package approaches the flattened state.

The transversely extending free edge of the respective second end wall panel being opposite to the respective first end wall panel may be provided with a flank cut-out provided on each side of the locking tab, as seen along a transverse direction, the flank cut-out forming on one side thereof part of a flank of the locking tab and on another side thereof an opposing flank.

The provision of such a flank cut-out provides for an increased length of the flank of the locking tab. Thereby, the locking tab and the set of corner panels are fixedly attached to each other and kept in place when the package is in the flattened state.

Preferably, a width of the flank cut-out, as measured along a transverse direction, increases with increasing distance from the second end wall panel. The term “on one side thereof” is herein means a side as seen along the transverse direction.

The blank may be made of a paper-based material. Paper-based material may provide a lightweight package. Paper-based material is environmentally friendly and can be recycled in a simple manner. Paper- based material may provide a package that is easy to transport and handle before erection of the package into the box state. It may be noted that the blank may be made of other materials. It may be noted that the blank as a whole may be made of paper-based material. It may be noted that the blank may be made of a paper-based material coated with another material, such as a plastic coating on the inside and/or on the outside. It may be noted that the blank need not to be made of the same material through-out.

The above-mentioned object has also been achieved by a method of moving the package formed of the blank as discussed above from the flattened state to the box state, the method comprising: moving the second end wall panels upwardly and rotating them upwardly/outwardly, the respective first end wall panel thereby being folded relative to the bottom panel upwardly/inwardly towards its intended position in the box state and the side wall panels in turn, due to the interconnecting corner panels, being folded upwardly/outwardly towards their respective intended position in the box state, moving the second end wall panels upwardly and rotating it upwardly/outwardly until the side wall panels has been raised to such an extent that their upper edges are separated a distance from each other allowing the second end wall panel to pass between the upper edges, folding the second end wall panels relative to the first end wall panels such that the second end wall panels and the first end wall panels assumes a double-walled configuration, and finalizing the folding by inserting the locking tab into the locking recess. The above-mentioned object has also been achieved by a method for moving the package formed of the blank as discussed above from the box state to the flattened state, the method comprising: moving the locking tab from the locking recess, folding the respective second end wall panel relative to the respective first end wall initially inwardly into an interior volume of the package and thereafter upwardly until the respective second end wall panel is above upper edges of the side wall panels, moving the respective second end wall panel outwardly, the respective first end wall panel thereby being folded relative to the bottom panel towards its intended position in the flattened state and the side wall panels in turn, due to the interconnecting corner panels, being folded towards their respective intended position in the flattened state, and finalizing the folding by inserting the locking tab into the cut-outs of the corner panels.

Preferably, while performing the method of moving the package from the flattened state to the box state, or the opposite, the user is using the cut outs, forming handles, provided in the respective second end wall panel as discussed above.

It may be noted that the use of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. are mainly to be seen as labels facilitating reading and that it does not necessarily mean that there need to be all the intervening numbers of portions present. It may e.g. be noted that it is contemplated to have a design where there is a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fifth portion, with the fourth portion being omitted. However, to facilitate reading, we have consistently used the numbering first, second, third, fourth, etc., as labels, and in a sense based on an embodiment including all conceivable portions.

It may also be noted that panel names such as top, floor and wall are intended meant to be read as labels, not necessarily defining the orientation of the panel. As an example, the package does not need to be oriented such that the first top panel actually forms the top of the package. The package may be oriented such that the panel labelled first top panel actually forms a side wall or even forms a bottom of the package does not have to be located over the floor panel, but could be positioned under, on the side of, or in any other way relative to it. However, in the preferred embodiment, the package will be oriented so that the floor panel faces downward, the top panels faces upward, and the wall panels faces outwards from an axis between top and floor.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

The disclosure may also in short be said to relate to a blank configured to form a package being capable of assuming a flattened state and a box state. The blank comprises a bottom panel, two opposing side wall panels, two opposing sets of end wall panels and a set of corner panels, wherein each set of end wall panels comprises a first and a second end wall panel. Each second end wall panel comprises a locking tab and each corner panel comprises a cut-out being configured to receive the locking tab of the respective second end wall panel and thereby provide a locking mechanism keeping the package formed from the blank in the flattened state.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 discloses a blank for forming a package.

Figure 2 discloses a package in a flattened state.

Figure 3 discloses a package being moved from a flattened state in a first step.

Figure 4 discloses a package being moved from a flattened state in a second step.

Figure 5 discloses a package being moved from a flattened state in a third step.

Figure 6 discloses a package in a box state.

Figure 7 discloses a package being moved from a box state in a first step.

Figure 8 discloses a package being moved from a box state in a second step.

Figure 9 discloses a package being moved from a box state in a third step. Detailed description of preferred embodiment

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

Figure 1 shows a blank 100 as seen in a flat-laid state. The blank 100 is configured to form a package 10 shown in Figs 2-9. The package 10 is capable of assuming a flattened state 200 as shown in Fig. 2. The package is also capable of assuming a box state 600 as shown in Fig. 6. The package 10 is capable of being moved from the flattened state 200 to the box state 600, wherein some representative steps of the movement are shown in Figs 3-5. The package is capable of being moved from the box state 600 to the flattened state 200, wherein some representative steps of the movement are shown in Figs. 7-9.

The blank 100 comprises a bottom panel 102. The blank 100 further comprises two opposing side wall panels 104, 105. The side wall panels 104, 105 are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides LS1, LS2 of the bottom panel 102.

The first blank 100 further comprises two opposing sets of end wall panels 106, 107. The sets of end wall panels 106, 107 are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides TS1 , TS2 of the bottom panel 102. Each set of end wall panels 106, 107 comprises a first end wall panel 106a, 107a and a second end wall panel 106b, 107b. The respective first and second end wall panels 106a, 107a, 106b, 107b are foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other as seen along a longitudinal direction L. As best illustrated in Fig. 6, each set of end wall panels 106, 107 is configured to form a double-walled end wall 206, 207 when the package 10 formed from the blank 100 is in the box state 600. The first end wall panel 106a, 107a is connected to the bottom panel 102 and is configured to form an outer surface of the double-walled end wall 206, 207. The second end wall panel 106b, 107b is connected to the first end wall panel 106a, 107a, at a side opposing the bottom panel 102, and is configured to form an inside surface of the double-walled end wall 206, 207. Preferably, the respective double-walled end wall 206, 207 is arranged in parallel planes, as seen in the box state 600. Preferably, the side wall panels 104, 105 is arranged in parallel planes, as seen in the box state 600.

Each second end wall panel 106b, 107b comprises a locking tab 116, 117. The locking tab 116, 117 forms part of a transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2 of the second end wall panel 106b, 107b being opposite to the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The locking tab 116, 117 may extend longitudinally away from surrounding portions of the free edge TEFE1, TEFE2 of the second end wall panel 106b, 107b.

The blank 100 may further comprise a locking recess 112a, 112b. The locking recess 112a, 112b may be provided in the bottom panel 102. The locking recess 112a, 112b may be provided in a fold line between 122 the bottom panel 102 and the first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The locking recess 112a, 112b may be configured to receive the locking tab 116, 117 when the package 10 formed of the blank 100 is in the box state 600. Preferably, the blank 100 comprises one locking recess 112a, 112b for each locking tab 116, 117 provided in the blank 100. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the blank 100 comprises two locking tabs 116, 117 and two locking recesses 112a, 112b. Thus, the locking tab 116, 117 and the locking recess 112a, 112b together form a locking mechanism for the package 10 when the package 10 is in the box state 600.

The locking tab 116, 117 may be provided with inclined flanks 136,

137. The inclined flanks 136, 137 may extend with a major component along the longitudinal direction L. The inclined flanks 136, 137 may be angled such that a width of the locking tab 116, 117, as measured along the transverse direction T, decreases with increasing distance from the first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2 of the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b may be provided with a flank cut-out 146, 147. The flank cut-out 146, 147 may be provided on each side of the locking tab 116, 117, as seen along a transverse direction T. The flank cut-out 146, 147 may form on one side thereof part of a flank 136, 137 of the locking tab 116, 117 and on another side thereof an opposing flank 156, 157.

The respective transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2 of the second end wall panels 106b, 107b may be provided with abutment portions 161 on each side of the locking tab 116, 117. The abutment portions 161 may be configured to abut a first major surface of the bottom panel 102 when the package 10 formed of the blank 100 is in the box state 600. The respective transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2 may be provided with any number of abutment portions 161. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the respective transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2 is provided with four abutment portions 161 such that a strong and stable package 10, when the package 10 is in the box state 600, is provided.

The blank 100 further comprises a cut-out 126, 127 in the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b forming handles. The cut-out 126, 127 is best illustrated and further discussed in connection with Figs 2-9.

The blank 100 further comprises a set of corner panels 108. Each corner panel 108 interconnects the respective side wall panel 104, 105 with the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a at a respective corner of the bottom panel 102. Each corner panel 108 comprises an inclined fold line 118. The inclined fold line 118 may extend along a virtual line extending diagonally away from the respective corner of the bottom panel 102. Preferably, and as illustrated in Fig. 1 , the blank 100 comprises four sets of corner panels 108, one set 108 by each corner of the bottom panel 102. As best illustrated in Figs 6-9, the inclined fold line 118 allows the package 10 formed from the blank 100 to be positioned in the box state 600, in which the side wall panels 104, 105 and the first end wall panels 106a, 107a extend upwardly from the bottom panel 102. As best illustrated in Figs 2-5, the inclined fold line 118 allows the package 10 formed from the blank 100 to be positioned in the flattened state 200, in which the side wall panels 104, 105 are folded inwardly and downwardly towards the bottom panel 102 and the first end wall panels 106a, 107a are folded outwardly. The respective inclined fold line 118 of the respective corner panel 108 may extend in a direction away from the respective corner of the bottom panel 102. The respective inclined fold line may extend between a starting point SP and an end point EP. The starting point SP and end point EP may be positioned on the virtual line. The end point EP may be positioned at a distance from an outer corner of the corner panel 108. The respective corner panel 108 may be provided with a cut or perforation 138 extending transversally from the end point EP to the longitudinally extending outer free edge LEOFE1, LOEFE2.

Each corner panel 108 comprises a cut-out 128 which is positioned on a longitudinally extending outer free edge LEOFE1, LEOFE2 being opposite to the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 100. As best illustrated in Figs 7-9, the longitudinally extending outer free edge LEOFE1 , LEOFE2 may be configured to be folded inwardly as the package 10 is folded towards the flattened state 200. As best illustrated in Figs 2 and 8-9, the respective cut-out 128 may be configured to receive the respective locking tab 116, 117 of the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b when the package 10 is in the flattened state 200. Thereby, the cut-out 118 and the respective locking tab 116, 117 may provide a locking mechanism which keeps the package 10 formed from the blank 100 in the flattened state 200. The cut-out 128 may be positioned close to the side wall 104, 105. Preferably, the cut-out is positioned within a distance from the side wall 104, 105 being less than 25% of the corner panel’s longitudinal extension CLE. The respective cut-out 128 may comprise a first and a second edge surface 128a, 128b. Each of the edge surfaces 128a, 128b may have an extension with at least a main component along a transverse direction T. Preferably, the edge surfaces 128a, 128b are angled such that a distance between the cut-out 128 of the respective corner panel 108 and the respective side wall 104, 105 decreases with increasing depth of the cut-out 128. The depth being measured from the longitudinally extending outer free edge LEOFE1, LEOFE2 towards the first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The angled edge surfaces 128a, 128b are angled an angle a between 1 and 20 degrees relative to a transverse direction T.

The blank 100 may further comprise a double fold line between the first end wall panel 106a, 107a and the second end wall panel 106b, 107b. The double fold line may comprise a first fold line 132 and a second fold line 142. The first fold line 132 may be positioned closest to the first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The first and second fold lines 132, 142 may define an intermediate panel 135. The blank 100 may further comprise a cut-out defining a guiding tab 134. The guiding tab 134 may extend from the second fold line 142 and occupying a portion of the intermediate panel 135.

Preferably, the cut-out defining the guiding tab 134 extends as a U-shape from the second fold line 142, to the first fold line 132 and along the first fold line 132 and then back to the second fold line 142. The guiding tab 134 may thereby extend upwardly away from the double-walled end wall 216, 217 when the package 10 formed from the blank 100 is in the box state 600.

The blank may further comprise a guiding recess 144. The guiding recess 144 may be provided in the bottom panel 102. The guiding recess 144 may be provided in the fold line 122 between the bottom panel 102 and the first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The guiding recess 144 may be configured to receive the guiding tab 134 of another package 10 formed of another blank 100 of the same kind being in a box state 600.

The blank 100 may further comprise a release cut-out 154 in the transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2 of the second end wall panel 106b, 107b being opposite to the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a. The release cut-out 154 may have a bottom forming part of the transversely extending free edge TEFE1 , TEFE2. The release cut-out 154 may be positioned such that there is provided a distance between the bottom of the release cut-out 154 and the bottom panel 102 when the package 10 formed of the blank 100 is in the box state 600. Preferably, the release cut-out 154 may be positioned in relation to the guiding recess 144 when the package 10 is in the box state 600 such that the guiding recess 144 is able to completely receive the guiding tab 134 when packages being stacked. The blank 100 is preferably made of paper-based material.

With reference to Figs 3-5, it is shown how the package 10 being moved from the flattened state 200, as shown in Fig. 2, to the box state 600, as shown in Fig. 6. As illustrated in Figs 2-9, the package 10 is laying on a surface 20, e.g. a table or the like. As illustrated in Figs 3-5, a user 30 which is moving the package 10 from the flattened state 200 to the box state 600 has inserted one finger in the cut-out 126, 127 provided in the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b. Thus, the cut-out 126, 127 provides for that the movement of the package 10 from the flattened state 200 to the box state 600 may be performed in an easy and user-friendly way.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the second end wall panels 106b, 107b may be moved upwardly and being rotated upwardly/outwardly. By this movement, the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a may be folded relative to the bottom panel 102 upwardly/inwardly towards its intended position in the box state 600. By the movement of the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b, the side wall panels 104, 105 may, due to their interconnecting corner panels 108, be folded upwardly/outwardly towards their respective intended position in the box state 600.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, the second end wall panels 106b, 107b may be moved upwardly and being rotated upwardly/outwardly until the side wall panels 104, 105 has been raised to such an extent that their upper edges 304, 305 separated a distance from each other allowing the second end wall panels 106b, 107b to pass between the upper edges 304, 305.

As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the second end wall panel 106b, 107b may be folded relative to the first end wall panel 106a, 106b such that the second end wall panel 106b, 107b and the first end wall panel 106a, 107a assumes a double-walled configuration. The folding may be finalized by inserting the locking tab 116, 117 into the locking recess 112a, 112b.

With reference to Figs 7-9, it is shown how the package 10 being moved from the box state 600, as shown in Fig. 6, to the flattened state 200, as shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated in Figs 7-9, the user 30 which is moving the package 10 from the box state 600 to the flattened state 200 has inserted one finger in the cut-out 126, 127 provided in the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b. Thus, the cut-out 126, 127 provides for that the movement of the package 10 from the box state 600 to the flattened state 200 may be performed in an easy and user-friendly way.

As best illustrated in Fig. 7, the locking tab 116, 117 may be moved from the locking recess 112a, 112b. Thereafter, the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b may be folded relative to the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a. Initially, the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b may be moved inwardly into an interior volume of the package 10. Thereafter, the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b may be moved upwardly until the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b is above upper edges 304, 305 of the side wall panels 104, 105.

As best illustrated in Fig. 8, the respective second end wall panel 106b, 107b may be moved outwardly. Thereby, the respective first end wall panel 106a, 107a may be folded relative to the bottom panel 102 towards its intended position in the flattened state 200. The side wall panels 104, 105 may in turn, due to the interconnecting corner panels 108, be folded towards their respective intended position in the flattened state 200.

As best illustrated in Fig. 9, the folding may be finalized by inserting the locking tab 116, 117 into the cut-outs 128 of the corner panels 108. The respective second end wall panels 106b, 107b may be moved outwardly in order to insert the locking tab 116, 117 in the cut-outs 128.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

The person skilled in the art realize that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blank (100) configured to form a package (10) being capable of assuming a flattened state (200) and a box state (600), the blank (100) comprising: a bottom panel (102), two opposing side wall panels (104, 105) being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides (LS1, LS2) of the bottom panel (102), two opposing sets of end wall panels (106, 107) being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides (TS1, TS2) of the bottom panel (102), wherein each set of end wall panels (106, 107) comprises a first end wall panel (106a, 107a) and a second end wall panel (106b, 107b) foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other as seen along a longitudinal direction (L), wherein each set of end wall panels (106, 107) is configured to form a double-walled end wall (206, 207) when the package (10) formed from the blank (100) is in a box state (600), wherein the first end wall panel (106a, 107a) is connected to the bottom panel (102) and is configured to form an outer surface of the double- walled end wall (206, 207), and the second end wall panel (106b, 107b) is connected to the first end wall panel (106a, 107a), at a side opposing the bottom panel (102), and is configured to form an inside surface of the double- walled end wall (206, 207), a set of corner panels (108), each corner panel (108) interconnecting the respective side wall panel (104, 105) with the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) at a respective corner of the bottom panel (102), characterized in that each corner panel (108) comprises an inclined fold line (118) extending along a virtual line extending diagonally away from the respective corner of the bottom panel (102), the inclined fold line (118) allowing the package (10) formed from the blank (100) to be positioned in the box state (600), in which the side wall panels (104, 105) and the first end wall panels (106a, 107a) extend upwardly from the bottom panel (102), and in the flattened state (200), in which the side wall panels (104, 105) are folded inwardly and downwardly towards the bottom panel (102), and the first end wall panels (106a, 107a) are folded outwardly, that each second end wall panel (106b, 107b) comprises a locking tab (116, 117), the locking tab (116, 117) forming part of a transversely extending free edge (TEFE1, TEFE2) of the second end wall panel (106b, 107b) being opposite to the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) and the locking tab (116, 117) extending longitudinally away from surrounding portions of the free edge (TEFE1, TEFE2) of the second end wall panel (106b, 107b) as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank (100), and that each corner panel (108) comprises a cut-out (128) being positioned on a longitudinally extending outer free edge (LEOFE1, LEOFE2) being opposite to the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank (100), the longitudinally extending outer free edge (LEOFE1, LEOFE2) being configured to be folded inwardly as the package (10) is folded towards the flattened state (200), wherein the cut-out (128) is within a distance from the side wall panel (104, 105) being less than 25% of the corner panel’s longitudinal extension (CLE), wherein the second end wall panels (106b, 107b) are folded inwardly such that the respective cut-out (128) receives the respective locking tab (116, 117) of the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) when the package (10) is in the flattened state (200) and thereby provide a locking mechanism keeping the package (10) formed from the blank (100) in the flattened state (200).

2. The blank (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the respective cut-out (128) comprises a first and a second edge surface (128a, 128b) each having an extension with at least a main component along a transverse direction, wherein the edge surfaces (128a, 128b) preferably are angled such that a distance between the cut-out (128) of the respective corner panel (108) and the respective side wall panel (104, 105) decreases with increasing depth of the cut-out (128), the depth being measured from the longitudinally extending outer free edge (LEOFE1 , LEOFE2) towards the first end wall panel (106a, 107a).

3. The blank (100) according to claim 2, wherein the angled edge surfaces (128a, 128b) are angled an angle (a) between 1 and 20 degrees relative to a transverse direction (T).

4. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective inclined fold line (118) of the respective corner panel (108) extends in a direction away from the respective corner of the bottom panel (102) between a starting point (SP) and an end point (EP), the starting point (SP) and end point (EP) being positioned on the virtual line, wherein the end point (EP) is positioned at a distance from an outer corner of the corner panel (108) and wherein the respective corner panel (108) is provided with a cut or perforation (138) extending transversally from the end point (EP) to the longitudinally extending outer free edge (LEOFE1, LOEFE2).

5. The blank (100) according to claim 1, wherein the blank (100) further comprises a cut-out (126, 127) in the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) forming handles.

6. The blank (100) according to claim 1, wherein the blank (100) further comprises locking recess (112a, 112b) in the bottom panel (102) or in a fold line between (122) the bottom panel (102) and the first end wall panel (106a, 107a), the locking recess (112a, 112b) being configured to receive the locking tab (116, 117) when the package (10) formed of the blank (100) is in the box state (600).

7. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blank (100) further comprises a double fold line between the first end wall panel (106a, 107a) and the second end wall panel (106b, 107b), the double fold line comprising a first fold line (132) being positioned closest to the first end wall panel (106a, 107a) and a second fold line (142), the first and second fold lines (132, 142) defining an intermediate panel (135), and a cut-out defining a guiding tab (134) extending from the second fold line (142) and occupying a portion of the intermediate panel (135), the guiding tab (134) extends upwardly away from the double-walled end wall (216, 217) when the package (10) formed from the blank (100) is in the box state (600).

8. The blank (100) according to claim 7, wherein the blank (100) further comprises a guiding recess (144) in the bottom panel (102) or in the fold line (122) between the bottom panel (102) and the first end wall panel (106a, 107a), the guiding recess (144) being configured to receive the guiding tab (134) of another package (10) formed of a another blank (100) of the same kind being in a box state (600).

9. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blank (100) further comprises a release cut-out (154) in the transversely extending free edge (TEFE1 , TEFE2) of the second end wall panel (106b, 107b) being opposite to the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a), the release cut-out (154) having a bottom forming part of the transversely extending free edge (TEFE1, TEFE2) and being positioned such that there is provided a distance between the bottom of the release cut-out (154) and the bottom panel (102) when the blank is transferred from it flattened state to the box state (600).

10. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective transversely extending free edge (TEFE1, TEFE2) is provided with abutment portions (161) on each side of the locking tab (116, 117), the abutment portions (161) being configured to abut a first major surface of the bottom panel (102) when the package (10) formed of the blank (100) is in the box state (600).

11. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking tab (116, 117) is provided with inclined flanks (136, 137) extending with a major component along the longitudinal direction (L) and being angled such that a width of the locking tab (116, 117), as measured along the transverse direction (T), decreases with increasing distance from the first end wall panel (106a, 107a).

12. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transversely extending free edge (TEFE1 , TEFE2) of the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) being opposite to the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) is provided with a flank cut-out (146, 147) provided on each side of the locking tab (116, 117), as seen along a transverse direction (T), the flank cut-out (146, 147) forming on one side thereof part of a flank (136, 137) of the locking tab and on another side thereof an opposing flank (156, 157).

13. The blank (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blank (100) is made of a paper-based material.

14. A method of moving a package (10) formed of a blank (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 13 from the flattened state (200) to the box state (600), the method comprising: moving the second end wall panels (106b, 107b) upwardly and rotating them upwardly/outwardly, the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) thereby being folded relative to the bottom panel (102) upwardly/inwardly towards its intended position in the box state (600) and the side wall panels (104, 105) in turn, due to the interconnecting corner panels (108), being folded upwardly/outwardly towards their respective intended position in the box state (600), moving the second end wall panels (106b, 107b) further upwardly and rotating it upwardly/outwardly until the side wall panels (104, 105) has been raised to such an extent that their upper edges (304, 305) are separated a distance from each other allowing the second end wall panels (106b, 107b) to pass between the upper edges (304, 305), folding the second end wall panels (106b, 107b) relative to the first end wall panel (106a, 107a) such that the second end wall panel (106b, 107b) pass between the upper edges (304, 305) of the side wall panels (104, 105) and such that the second end wall panel (106b, 107b) and the first end wall panel (106a, 107a) assumes a double-walled configuration, and finalizing the folding by inserting the locking tab (116, 117) into the locking recess (112a, 112b).

15. A method for moving a package (10) formed of a blank (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 13 from the box state (600) to the flattened state (200), the method comprising: moving the locking tab (116, 117) from the locking recess (112a,

112b), folding the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) relative to the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) initially inwardly into an interior volume of the package (10) and thereafter upwardly until the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) is above upper edges (304, 305) of the side wall panels (104, 105), moving the respective second end wall panel (106b, 107b) outwardly, the respective first end wall panel (106a, 107a) thereby being folded relative to the bottom panel (102) towards its intended position in the flattened state (200) and the side wall panels (104, 105) in turn, due to the interconnecting corner panels (108), being folded towards their respective intended position in the flattened state (200), and finalizing the folding by inserting the locking tab (116, 117) into the cut outs (128) of the corner panels (108).