GB2124592A

GB2124592A - Easter egg containers

Info

Publication number: GB2124592A
Application number: GB08320436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Shilcock
Original assignee: Waddingtons Ltd
Current assignee: Waddingtons Ltd
Priority date: 1982-08-05
Filing date: 1983-07-28
Publication date: 1984-02-22
Also published as: GB2124592B; GB8320436D0

Abstract

An Easter egg container blank is erected by a panel and die operation so that side panels 12, 14 fold relative to a centre panel 10 so as to be upstanding relative to the centre panel 10 and the action of folding creates half of a support cradle inside the partially erected container by the inward folding of auxiliary panels 64-74. The Easter egg is placed in the partially erected container to sit on the half cradle. Erection is completed by folding over of a cover panel 32 which has side panels 34, 36, the cover panel 32 and its side panels 34, 36 defining the other half of the cradle when folded to the closing condition. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Packaging container This invention relates to packaging containers constructed from sheet material, most commonly cardboard, and in particular concerns blanks from which such containers can be erected.

The chocolate easter egg trade although seasonal, uses annually a large number of packaging containers for the eggs, and in addition to there being a new demand annually for new designs of containers in order to improve the aesthetic appeal of the presentation of the eggs, there is also a constant demand to improve the container construction both from a technical point of view and from a commercial point of view.

We have already proposed a novel form of container construction which concerns a blank of sheet material which is adapted to be erected into a container in a simple and effective manner.

According to the invention the subject of our previous proposal, a blank of sheet material, such as cardboard, is erectible into a container for a chocolate easter egg and comprises a centre section and closure flaps surrounding the centre section, which flaps in the erection of the blank are moved to an upstanding position relative at least to one panel of the centre section to surround an insertion aperture for the egg, and after the egg has been inserted the flaps are folded inwardly relative to insertion aperture so as to complete the closing of the container, said centre section comprising at least two main panels which are hinged together along a fold line, said blank being for erection by a punch and die operation, to hinge the said at least two main panels relatively to define walls of the container, said at least two main panels having crease lines defining auxiliary panels which fold inwardly in the punch and die operation to define a cradle for support of the easter egg.

It is preferred that the centre section comprise three main panels, a first main panel to a pair of opposite edges of which are respectively hinged the second and third main panels for hinging relative to the first main panel along fold lines at said opposite edges in the erection of the blank, and there are fold lines defining the said auxiliary panels in the first, second and third panels so that in folding the second and third main panels to the erected condition, the auxiliary panels are induced to fold relative to each other and when inwardly directed relative to the folded second and third panels define said cradle for the easter egg, and in the blank, the auxiliary panels surround a display aperture or apertures in the blank which opens or open up to a larger size when the auxiliary panels are folded inwardly to define the cradle, so that the easter egg can be see through said display aperture or apertures, when such egg is in the erected container.

Although reference is made herein and hereinafter only to packaging containers for holding individual chocolate easter eggs, it is to be pointed out that the article which is held by the container according to the invention may be other than a chocolate easter egg without departing from the scope of the invention and it is therefore desired that the expression "Easter Egg" as used herein be construed accordingly.

Also, the blank of the invention for convenience is described as being of cardboard, but it is to be pointed out that other sheet material, such as plastic, can be used.

In the present invention the said three panels are also present but instead of a plurality of closure flaps there is a cover panel which has side panels and the side panels and cover panel have auxiliary panels in much the same way as the first mentioned three main panels so that the auxiliary panels of the cover panel and its side panels form part of the cradle.

The cover panel may be for closing the insertion aperture by pivoting same downwards, and during the downwards pivoting the said side panels may be swung downwards and glued to the first and second main panels to complete the package. The cover panel may also have a glue flap which is glued to an end panel hinged to the first main panel.

Thus, the package according to the invention has the advantage that the initial erection is by punch and die and the final closing is by conventional box closing. In conventional box closing, the cover or lid is simply hinged downwards and the package is pushed upwards, which causes the side flaps to hinge down and become flush with the sides of the punch and die erected portion, there being suitable guides, sometimes referred to as 'chimney guides' because they resemble a chimney stack which is open at the bottom and into which the packages are pushed.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of blank for erection into a container according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the blank of Figure 1 in the partially erected condition; Figure 3 shows the blank is a further stage of erection; Figure 4 shows in sectional elevation the blank in the almost final stage of closing; and Figure 5 shows the finished container.

Referring to the drawings, the blank in Figure 1 comprises of a base panel 10 having the side panels 12 and 14 hinged thereto along lines 16 and 18. To the other sides of the base panel 10 are hinged end panels 20 and 22, each of which has end glue flaps 24, 26, 28 and 30. Hinged to the opposite side of panel 20 is cover panel 32 having side panels 34 and 36. The free edge of panel 32 has a glue flap 38. Apart from the glue flap 38, the group of panels 32, 34, 36 is identical to the group of panels 10, 12 and 14, and each group is provided with auxiliary panels 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 defined by crease lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 in conjunction with cut lines 52 and 54 and other crease lines 56, 58, 60 and 62.

The panels 64, 66, 72 and 74 have no crease lines therein and extend across the crease lines 16 and 18 so that when the panels 12 and 14 are hinged about lines 1 6 and 18, which takes place during the erection of the container, the auxiliary panels 64 to 74 automatically erect into an internal cradle for supporting the object to be held by the container, in this case a chocolate easter egg. Figure 2 shows clearly how the crade is formed by the auxiliary panels 64 to 74, the curved edges 52 and 54 defining the cradle edge on which the chocolate easter egg sits, as shown in Figure 4.

The group of panels 32, 34 and 36 have similar auxiliary panels which erect to form the other half of the cradle support and facing opposite the cradle support for the secure holding of the easter egg.

In the erection of the container, in proceeding from the Figure 1 position to the Figure 2 position the panel 10 is erected by a punch and die operation which means that panel 10 is pushed into a punch by means of a die, and this causes the panels 12, 14, 20 and 22 to move to a position at right angles to the panel 10, and also causes the erection of the auxiliary panels as described aiready. The punch and die erect position is shown in Figure 2, and it is to be mentioned that a portion of panel 22 and has been shown as cut away in order to enhance the illustration.

As shown in the Figure 2 position, the glue panels 28 and 30 and 24 and 26 are hinged onto and glued to the inner sides of outer panels 12 and 14, whereby the container arrives at the position shown in Figure 3. It is at this stage that the easter egg is inserted in the container so as to rest on the cradle formed by the auxiliary panels 64to74.

In the final erection, the panels 34 and 36 and the glue tab 38 respectively are glued to the outside of the panels 12 and 14 and panel 22, and in this connection the panel group 32, 34, 36 and 38 is hinged downwardly as indicated by arrow 76 in Figure 3, until the position shown generally in Figure 4 is reached. It is to be mentioned that at the time the covered panel 32 reaches the position shown in Figure 4, glue has been applied to panels 34, 36 and tab 38.The packaging container in the Figure 4 position and with the egg inserted therein has the erection completed by pushing the package upwards as indicated by arrow 78 relative to a suitable chimney guide 80 which causes the panels 36, 34 and tab 38 to fold downwardly and onto panels 12 and 14 and panel 22 to be glued thereto, and simultaneously with this folding action, the auxiliary panels of the panels 32, 34 and 36 erect to form a cradle which engages the top side of the egg shown in Figure 4, thereby to complete the package, and the completed package is shown in Figure 4, thereby to complete the package, and the completed package is shown in Figure 5.

The equipment which can be used for erecting this blank may be conventional type equipment, which represents a considerable advantage in easter egg container production, because traditionally to erect easter egg blanks has required complicated folding and tucking machinery.

It will be appreciated that modifications of the invention may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A blank of sheet material, such as cardboard, erectible into a container for a chocolate easter egg and comprises a centre panel with side panels hinged to and surrounding the centre panel, which side panels in the erection of the blank are moved to an upstanding position relative to the centre panel to surround an insertion aperture for the egg, and after the egg has been inserted the said blank being for erection by a punch and die operation, to hinge the said side panels relatively to define walls of the container, said centre panel and two of said side panels which are opposite having crease lines defining auxiliary panels which fold inwardly in the punch and die operation to define a half of a cradle for support of the easter egg, and form a display aperture or aperture in the blank which opens up to a larger size when the auxiliary panels are folded inwardly to define the cradle, so that the easter egg can be seen through said display aperture, and including a cover panel which has side panels and the side panels and cover panel have auxiliary panels in the same way as the centre panel and said opposed side panels so that the auxiliary panels of the cover panel and its side panels form the other half of the cradle.

2. A blank according to Claim 1, wherein the cover panel is for closing the insertion aperture by pivoting same downwards, and during the downwards pivoting the said cover side panels may be swung downwards and glued to the respective ones of said opposed side panels to complete the container.

3. A blank according to Claim 2, wherein the cover panel has a glue flap for glueing to one of the side panels connected to the centre panel.

4. A blank according to any preceding Claim, wherein the centre panel and cover panel are all of square or rectangular configuration.

5. A blank erectible into a container and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.