GB1603508A - Packaging containers - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PACKAGING CONTAINERS (71) We, WADDINGTONS LIMITED, a British Company of Wakefield Road, Leeds LS10 3TP, West Yorkshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to packaging containers of the type which are formed from cut and creased blanks of sheet material.

Containers of the type of which this invention relates are well known and are in extensive use for packaging a wide variety of goods, materials and merchandise and the containers are produced in a wide variety of shapes and types.

This invention is concerned with packaging containers of the above type and which are adapted to be sealed so as to be capable of holding goods or products, such as liquids or perishable products, so that the products will not leak or will be protected from the atmosphere until the container is opened.

Known containers for the above purposes heretofore have been provided with a body formed from a sheet material blank, and the ends have either been closed by means of separate closures which are subsequently sealed to the body or the ends of the body are closed by means of fin seals which are formed by bringing together and sealing regions of the ends of the body. Each of these arrangements has at least one disadvantage. Where separate end closures are used, these must be formed separately which causes difficulties in manufacture and transportation, and where the bodies are provided with fin seals, this usually means a reduction in the possible container volume.

In order to seal container bodies as mentioned above, it is necessary te use a sealing material, such as adhesive, or d sealing coating which may be activated by heat or weldina, or it is necessary to form the container body, and the separate closure where used, of a material which is heat sealable or weldable and which may be for example of synthetic plastics material.

The present invention seeks to provide a packaging container in which at least the above-mentioned disadvantages are obviated or mitigated.

According to the present invention there is provided a packaging container comprising a body of cut and creased sheet material having at least one end to be sealed closed by a closure, wherein the body is provided with an integral cut and creased closure for said one end, said closure being hingeable relative to the body so as to fit into the end of the body to be closed and having a flange which lies adjacent the inner surface of the body in the closed position, the body and closure being of weldable or heat sealable synthetic plastics material so that the closure can be sealed to the body by high frequency welding or heat sealing so as sealingly to close the container end.

Preferably, the container has two ends to be sealingly closed and there are two similar end closures, although one of said ends may be sealed by means of a separate closure.

The synthetic plastics material, of the body and closure may be for example of the material set forth in British Patent Applications Nos. 19469/75 and 24533/75 (Serial No. 1554143).

The sealing between the or each closure and the body can be effected readily as the closure flange lies inside the body end and the flange and adjacent end region of the body can be gripped between male and female welding or heat sealing tools.

The or each closure may comprise a panel provided at each edge with a sealing strip and the sealing strips are interconnected with hinge fillets, one of said sealing strips being hinged to the body. The body may comprise a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels, one being provided with a sealing flap at its free edge, which is sealed to the free edge of another of said body panels.

The invention also provides a blank of weldable or heat sealable synthetic plastics sheet material erectable into a container as aforesaid.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan of a blank erectible into a container accordng to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container erected from a blank as shown in Figure 1, prior to final sealing thereof; Figure 3 is an end view of the container of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of a corner of the container of Figure 2, after final sealing thereof, showing the seal between the closure and the body; and Figures 5 to 9 show a second embodiment of the invention, Figures 5, 6 8 and 9 showing views corresponding to views of Figures 1 to 4, and Figure 7 showing the container at an intermediate stage of erection.

Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Figures 1 to 4, in these Figures there is shown a blank according to the invention and a container which is constructed from the blank and is also according to the present invention.

The blank is shown in Figure 1, and it will be seen to be of one piece, cut and creased construction. The blank is of, in this case, a synthetic plastics material which can be heat sealed. The blank has four rectangular panels, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hingedly interconnected along hinge lines 18. At the free edge of panel 16 there is hingedly connected a sealing flap 20. Panels 10 to 16 define the body of the container which can be erected from the blank as will be explained.

Additionally, the blank is provided with two end closures respectively hingedly connected to the ends of panel 12 along hinge lines 22. As the closures are identical, only one will be described in detail. Such closure comprises a closure panel 24 provided with four edge extensions 26 of which one is hingedly connected to the panel 12 along the fold line 22. The adjacent ends of adjacent extensions 26 are connected by foldable corner fillets 28 having a central crease line 30 as shown.

In order to erect the blank of Figure 1 into a container according to the invention, the panels 10 to 16 are relatively folded along lines 18 so as to form an elongated tubular body 32 as shown in Figure 2, the flap 20 being beat sealed to the free edge of panel 10 which it overlaps in the erected container to form a liquid tight seal therewith. The ends of the tubular body are closed by means of the closure hinged to the ends of panel 12 in that extensions 26 are folded at 90" relative to panel 24 so as to form a closure flange, the corner fillets 28 being folded about crease lines 30 so as to lie, as shown in Figure 2, to the outsides of the closure flange formed by extensions 26, and the folded corner fillets 28 are folded again onto a pair of opposite extension 26, again as shown clearly in Figure 2.The closures thus folded can now be hinged to a position closing the ends of the body 32 and so that the closure flange lies inside the body and adjacent the inner surface thereof in the regions of the body ends. The flange of the closure can now be heat sealed to the inner surface Izf the body at the end region by means of suitable male and female sealing tools so as to form a sealing bead 34 as shown at the bottom of the container in Figure 2, thereby to close the ends of the container in a liquid tight sealing manner.

It will be appreciated that the container contents are placed therein prior to the sealing of the second of the end closures.

By providing the fillets 28 it is ensured that the seal will be liquid tight provided that there is effective heat sealing along the seam 34. If the fillets 28 were not provided and the ends of the extensions 26 were left free, there would be the danger that the container would leak at the corners of closure panels 24.

The container although not shown may be provided with a suitable opening device or tear strip to enable a user to gain access to the container contents.

It will be seen that the container as shown in Figure 2 is an extremely suitable shape for transportation when the container is charged with the contents, which may for example be liquid or perishable goods, and furthermore it will be appreciated that the blank of Figure 1 can be produced in a one step cutting and creasing operation. The blank is furthermore extremely suitable for transportation in that it takes up a minimum of space and can be packaged with similar blanks in an effective space saving manner. Furthermore almost all of the volume defined by the overall dimensions of the container of Figure 2 can be occupied by the container contents, apart from the end recesses created by the particular form of closure construction and when the containers are transported full, there will be very little transportation of air space, which minimises transportation costs.

The blank of synthetic plastics material is of a type which can be heat sealed or high frequency welded.

The construction shown in Figures 5 to 9 is generally similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4, and is of any suitable plastics material such as has been described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4. The advantage of the arrangement of Figures 5 to 9 is that it represents a saving in material, as the closure panels 24 are located closer to the centre of the panel 12 to which they are hinged and only two foldable fillets 28 are required for each closure.

It will be seen that the panels 24 are hinged directly to the ends of panel 12 along lines 40 which are inset relative to the adjacent edge of the panels 10, 14 and 16 defining the body, and the opposite extensions 26 of each closure meet panels 10 and 14 along inclined fold lines 42. These fold lines 42 define chamfered edges in the finished container as shown clearly in Figure 6.

In order to erect the blank of Figure 5, the panels 10 to 16 once more are folded along fold lines 18 and flap 20 is sealed to the free edge of panel 10.

In Figure 6, the container body 32 is once more shown, the bottom end having been sealed by the associated closure. and the other end is shown open and ready to be closed by the other closure. In order to close the top end, the panel 24 is folded inwardly so that the opposite extensions 26 fold by 90" relative to the panel 24. The third extension 26 is folded upwardly and the fillets 28 are folded along crease line 30 so as to lie outside the opposite extensions 26 as shown in Figure 7, which shows the closure about to reach a position closing the end of the container body 32. When the closure reaches the closed position, a sealing bead 34 as shown at the bottom end of the body in Figure 6 is formed thereby to seal the top end of the container in a liquid tight manner.

In each of the embodiments, the closure is provided with a flange which is located inside the end of the body so that the end region of the body and the flange can be readily gripped by sealing tools, and sealing is therefore easy to effect.

It will be appreciated that only two examples of container construction have been given. It will also be appreciated that the invention can be applied to a number of modified container forms.

It may be convenient in some cases to provide in a two ended container only one hingeable closure device, the other end being closed by means of a fin seal or by a separate closure means, although we think the invention has its best advantage if both ends are closed by hingeable ciosure devices, having sealing flanges.

The embodiment described with reference to Figs. 5-9 of the drawings also forms an embodiment of the invention of Divided Application No. 8039809 (Serial No.

1603509).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A packaging container comprising a body of cut and creased sheet material having at least one end to be sealed closed by a closure, wherein the body is provided with an integral cut and creased closure for said one end, said closure being hingeable relative to the body so as to fit into the end of the body to be closed and having a flange which lies adjacent the inner surface of the body in the closed position, the body and closure being of weldable or heat sealable synthetic plastics material so that the closure can be sealed to the body by high frequency welding or heat sealing so as sealingly to close the container end.

2. A packaging container according to Claim 1, wherein the container has two ends to be sealingly closed and there are two similar end closures.

3. A container according to any Claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each closure comprises a panel provided at each edge with a sealing strip and the sealing strips are interconnected by hinge fillets, one of said sealing strips being hinged to the body.

4. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the body comprises a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels, one being provided with a sealing flap at its free edge, which is sealed to the free edge of another of said body panels.

5. A packaging container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 to 9, of the accompanying drawings.

6. A one-piece blank of weldable or heat sealable synthetic plastics sheet material, erectable into a container according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

7. A blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   located closer to the centre of the panel 12 to which they are hinged and only two foldable fillets 28 are required for each closure.

   It will be seen that the panels 24 are hinged directly to the ends of panel 12 along lines 40 which are inset relative to the adjacent edge of the panels 10, 14 and 16 defining the body, and the opposite extensions 26 of each closure meet panels 10 and 14 along inclined fold lines 42. These fold lines 42 define chamfered edges in the finished container as shown clearly in Figure 6.

   In order to erect the blank of Figure 5, the panels 10 to 16 once more are folded along fold lines 18 and flap 20 is sealed to the free edge of panel 10.

   In Figure 6, the container body 32 is once more shown, the bottom end having been sealed by the associated closure. and the other end is shown open and ready to be closed by the other closure. In order to close the top end, the panel 24 is folded inwardly so that the opposite extensions 26 fold by 90" relative to the panel 24. The third extension 26 is folded upwardly and the fillets 28 are folded along crease line 30 so as to lie outside the opposite extensions 26 as shown in Figure 7, which shows the closure about to reach a position closing the end of the container body 32. When the closure reaches the closed position, a sealing bead 34 as shown at the bottom end of the body in Figure 6 is formed thereby to seal the top end of the container in a liquid tight manner.

   In each of the embodiments, the closure is provided with a flange which is located inside the end of the body so that the end region of the body and the flange can be readily gripped by sealing tools, and sealing is therefore easy to effect.

   It will be appreciated that only two examples of container construction have been given. It will also be appreciated that the invention can be applied to a number of modified container forms.

   It may be convenient in some cases to provide in a two ended container only one hingeable closure device, the other end being closed by means of a fin seal or by a separate closure means, although we think the invention has its best advantage if both ends are closed by hingeable ciosure devices, having sealing flanges.

   The embodiment described with reference to Figs. 5-9 of the drawings also forms an embodiment of the invention of Divided Application No. 8039809 (Serial No.

   1603509).

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A packaging container comprising a body of cut and creased sheet material having at least one end to be sealed closed by a closure, wherein the body is provided with an integral cut and creased closure for said one end, said closure being hingeable relative to the body so as to fit into the end of the body to be closed and having a flange which lies adjacent the inner surface of the body in the closed position, the body and closure being of weldable or heat sealable synthetic plastics material so that the closure can be sealed to the body by high frequency welding or heat sealing so as sealingly to close the container end.
2. 2. A packaging container according to Claim 1, wherein the container has two ends to be sealingly closed and there are two similar end closures.
3. 3. A container according to any Claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each closure comprises a panel provided at each edge with a sealing strip and the sealing strips are interconnected by hinge fillets, one of said sealing strips being hinged to the body.
4. 4. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the body comprises a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels, one being provided with a sealing flap at its free edge, which is sealed to the free edge of another of said body panels.
5. 5. A packaging container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 to 9, of the accompanying drawings.
6. 6. A one-piece blank of weldable or heat sealable synthetic plastics sheet material, erectable into a container according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
7. 7. A blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.