GB2145398A - Protective cases for receptacles - Google Patents

Abstract

An outer protective case (100) for protecting a receptacle for material having free flowing properties e.g. wine is of rectangular cross-section and has four side walls (3, 5 etc.). The case (100) is closed at one end by a first end closure flap (20c) hingedly connected to one side wall (4) and provided with an aperture (27) for receiving and locating the neck of a receptacle to be protected, and at least one second end closure flap (19) hingedly connected to at least one other side wall (3). The second end closure flap (19) is foldable to overlie, and be spaced from, at least part (20c) of the first end closure flap (20). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to protective cases for receptacles This invention relates to an outer protective case for a receptacle of the kind suitable for containing material having free flowing properties, e.g. a wine container, and provided with a pouring neck or nozzle. The invention also relates to a blank for such an outer protective case.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an outer protective case for protecting a receptacle for material having free flowing properties, the outer protective case being erected from a blank of stiff yet foldable sheet material to have four side walls arranged so that the case has a rectangular cross-section, the outer protective case being closed at one end by a first end closure flap hingedly connected to one of said four side walls and provided, or adapted to be provided, with an aperture for receiving and locating the neck of a receptacle to be protected and by at least one second end closure flap hingedly connected to at least one other of said four side walls and being foldable to overlie and to be spaced from at least part of said first end closure flap.

Conveniently the first end closure flap comprises a first part provided, or adapted to be provided, with said aperture and a second part hingedly connected to the said one side wall. Preferably the first end closure flap also has an intermediate third part hingedly connecting the first and second end parts.

Preferably the third part is inclined, e.g. at an angle of from 30 to 60 , typically 45 , to the first part.

Suitably reinforcing panels are hingedly connected to the side walls on either side of said one side wall, each reinforcing panel being folded inwardly to provide a reinforcing member extending between the said one side wall and the side wall opposite said one side wall. Conveniently the reinforcing panels have engaging means, e.g. tab means, engageable with respective engaging means, e.g. slots, in a part, e.g. the third part, of the first end closure flap.

Typically the outer protective case is provided with a single second end closure flap hingedly connected to the side wall opposite the said one side wall.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising an outer protective case according to said one aspect of the invention and an inner receptacle for material having free flowing properties fitted within the outer protective case, the said inner receptacle having a neck positioned within the aperture provided in said first end closure flap.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a unitary blank made of stiff, yet foldable sheet material for an outer protective case of rectangular cross-section for protecting a receptacle having free flowing properties, the blank comprising rectangular first, second, third and fourth panels hingedly connected together about parallel fold lines, the first and third panels being destined in an erected case to comprise a first pair of opposed side walls and the second and fourth panels being destined in an erected case to comprise a second pair of opposed side walls, a first end closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the fourth panel and provided, or adapted to be provided, with an aperture for receiving and locating the neck of a receptacle to be protected, and a second end closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the second panel and being foldable, on erection of a case from the blank, to overlie, and to be spaced from, at least a part of said first end closure flap.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan of a unitary blankforforming an outer protective case according to the invention, Figure2 is an end view of an outer protective case according to the invention in which an outer closure flap is in a folded-back, open position, Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2 but with the outer closure flap in a different position.

Figure 1 shows a unitary blank, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, made of double faced twin corrugated board. In Figure 1 the dashed lines represent fold lines in a direction upwardly out of the plane of the drawing, the dotted line represents a fold line in a direction downwardly out of the plane of the drawing, the chain lines represent perforated cut lines and the full lines represent full cut lines.

The blank 1 has four rectangular panels 2,3,4, 5 destined to form side walls of the erected protective case. Adjacent pairs of the panels 2-3,3-4 and 4-5 are integrally hinged together along parallel fold lines 6, 7 and 8, respectively. Integrally joined to one end of each of the panels 2 and 4, along fold lines 9 and 10, respectively, are end flaps 11 and 12, respectively.

Each end flap 11 (12) is divided by parallel fold lines 13-15 (16-18) into four hinged parts 11a - 11d (12a - 12d), the parts 1 1a and 12a being provided with "crushed" regions (as indicated by dashed lines in Figure 1) and the parts 11b and 12b having corner regions 40 and 41, respectively. A tab 42 is integrally joined to the panel 5 along a fold line 43.

At the same end of the blank 1 as the end flaps 11 and 12, there are provided further end flaps 19 and 20. End flap 19 is integrally connected to the panel 3 along fold line 21 and end flap 20 is integrally connected to the panel 5 along fold lines 22a and 22b, the fold lines 22a and 22b being interconnected by means of an elongate slot 23. Parallel to the fold lines 22a and 22b are three further fold lines 24-26 which divide the end flap 20 into hinged parts 20a 20d. The part 20c is provided with an aperture 27 for receiving the neck of a receptacle (not shown). The part 20b has edge recesses 28, 29 formed therein and parallel slots 30,31 extending from fold line 25, and at right angles thereto, towards the fold line 24.

The part 20d constitutes a "crushed" tab. The end flap 19 is divided into two parts 19a and 19b by means of a fold line 32 extending parallel to the fold line 21. The part 19b is in the form of a "crushed" tab and is provided with two spaced apart fold lines 33 and 34 extending at right angles to the fold line 32. A substantially rectangular, perforated line 35 is formed in the blank and extends into both the panel 3 and the end flap part 19a.

Hingedly connected to the panels 3 and 5, at their ends remote from the fold lines 21 and 22a, 22b respectively, are bottom flaps 36 and 37. The bottom flap 36 is hinged to the panel 3 along a fold line 38 and the bottom flap 37 is hinged to the panel 5 along a fold line 39. The flap 36 is divided into three parts 36a, 36b and 36c by means of a pair of parallel fold lines 45 and 46.

In order to erect a case 100 (see Figures 2-4) from the blank 1, the tab 42 is connected, e.g. stitched, stapled or adhered, to the free side edge of the panel 2. In this condition the blank 1 can be stacked in a flat state by folding along fold lines 6 and 8 or 7 and 43 for transport to customers for on site erection.

During on site assembly, the blank 1, with tab 42 connected to the panel 2, is opened up into a tubular configuration of rectangular section. The bottom flap 37 is then folded about its fold line 39 to lie against the inside of the panel 5. The parts 36a and 36c are then folded about fold lines 45 and 46, respectively, so as to overlap the part 36b. The overlapping parts 36a-c are then folded inwardly about fold line 38 so as to form the bottom of the case and lie in a plane substantially at right angles to the planes of the panels 2-5. When so positioned the flap parts 36a and 36c are folded about their respective fold lines 45 and 46 so as to lie flat against the respective panels 2 and 4 and the flap 37 is folded back about fold line 39 to overlie the flap part 36b.

With the bottom of the case now formed, a receptacle (not shown), e.g. a flexible "wine bag" of 22.7 litre capacity and having a pouring neck or nozzle with a valve (also not shown), is inserted through the open top end of the case 100 so as to rest on the overlapping flap part 36b and flap 37.

Next the end flap 20 (i.e. the "receptacle-necklocating flap") is folded inwardly about the fold lines 22a and 22b so that the side edges of the part20c rest upon the "top" edges of the flap parts 36a and 36c (i.e. the edges of the parts 36a and 36c parallel to, and remote from, the fold lines 45 and 46, respectively), and the part 20d is trapped, at its opposite ends, between the panel 3 and the flap parts 36a and 36c. During the inward folding of the end flap 20, the neck of the receptacle (not shown) is inserted through the aperture 27 so as to project upwardly therethrough.

Each of the flaps 11(12) is then folded about fold lines 9, 13-15(10, 16-18) to provide rectangular section buffers (see Figure 3). The part 11 d (1 2d) lies againstthe side wall defined by the panel 2 (4) and the corner region 40 (41) of the part 1 b (1 2b) is located in the slot 31 (30) so as to retain the buffer in its rectangular configuration.

As a final step in the erection of the protective case 100, the flap 19 (the "closure flap") is folded over about the fold line 21 to close the open top end of the case, the tab part 1 9b being inserted through the slot 23 to provide a snap lock therein.

The encased receptacle, with the closure flap 19 in its closed position, can now be safely transported or stored. If however it is desired to gain access to the contents of the receptacle, the sheet material is torn along the perforated line 35 to reveal the nozzle and valve (not shown) of the receptacle. The case 100 is then layed on its side so that the panel 3 now constitutes the "bottom" of the case. In this position of the case 100, the valve of the receptacle can be operated. The sloping or angled disposition of the part 20b assists the flow of fluent material, e.g.

winee, contained in the receptacle towards the nozzle/valve of the receptacle. This flow may be further assisted by providing a sloping former (not shown) on the inside of the side wall defined by the panel 3 so as to provide a downwardly sloping bottom for the receptacle when the case 100 rests on the "bottom" panel 3.

In addition to aiding emptying of the receptacle contents, the sloping part 20b gives added rigidity to the case 100 by preventing flexing of the rectangular section buffers provided by the folded flaps 11 and 12. It will also be noted that the construction ofthe flap 20 allows the nozzle of the receptacle to be located in an aperture formed from a single piece of sheet.

The blank 1 is provided with flaps 50, 51 and 52, 53 in the panels 2 and 4, respectively, for providing finger holes to facilitate handling of the erected case 100. The edge recesses 28 and 29 enable the flaps 53 and 50, respectively, to be folded inwardly, when the case is in its erected condition, without being obstructed by the part 20b.

It should be realised that the outer protective case 100 need not necessarily be made of double faced twin corrugated board. Instead the outer case 100 may be made out of double faced single corrugated board or any other suitable stiff yet foldable sheet material.

Other modifications may of course be made to the case and blank described herein. The angle of inclination of the sloping part 20b is shown as being approximately 45" to the part 20c but this angle may of course be varied, e.g. from 30 to 60". Although the case has been described with reference to a single outer end closure flap 20, it is possible, although not preferred, for a container according to the invention to be provided with two outer end closure flaps hingedly connected to a pair of opposite side walls. In such a construction, the inner end closure flap, provided with the neck-receiving aperture, would be hingedly connected to one of the other side walls and a reinforcing flap could be hingedly connected to the remaining side wall.

Other designs of blank 1 are also possible. For instance panel 5, instead of being hinged along fold line 8 to the panel 4, could be hinged to panel 2 along the side edge of the latter spaced from fold line 6.

Claims (21)

1. An outer protective case for protecting a receptacle for material having free flowing properties, the outer protective case being erected from a blank of stiff yet foldable sheet material to have four side walls arranged so that the case has a rectangu lar cross-section, the outer protective case being closed at one end by a first end closure flap hingedly connected to one of said four side walls and provided, or adapted to be provided, with an aperture for receiving and locating the neck of a receptacle to be protected and by at least one second end closure flap hingedly connected to at least one other of said four side walls and being foldable to overlie and to be spaced from at least part of said first end closure flap.

2. An outer protective case according to claim 1, in which the first end closure flap comprises a first part provided, or adapted to be provided, with said aperture and a second part hingedly connected to the said one side wall.

3. An outer protective case according to claim 2, in which the first end closure flap further comprises an intermediate third part hingedly connecting the first and second parts.

4. An outer protective case according to claim 3, in which said first and second parts occupy spaced apart, substantially parallel planes.

5. An outer protective case according to claim 3 or 4, in which said third part is inclined to said first part.

6. An outer protective case according to claim 5, in which said third part is inclined to said first part at an angle of from 30 to 600, e.g. 45".

7. An outer protective case according to any of claims 2 to 6, in which each of the side walls on either side of the said one side wall includes an inner wall panel extending from the other end of the case remote from said one end to a position at which its marginal end edge is spaced from said one end of the case, the said first part of the first end closure flap being supported on said marginal end edges of the inner wall panels.

8. An outer protective case according to claim 7, in which said first end closure flap has a distal part hingedly connected to said first part, opposite side edges of the distal part being trapped between marginal side edges of the said inner wall panel and the side wall opposite the said one side wall.

9. An outer protective case according to any of the preceding claims, comprising reinforcing panels hingedly connected, respectively, to the side walls on either side of the said one side wall, each reinforcing panel being folded inwardly to provide a reinforcing member extending between the said one side wall and the side wall opposite the latter at said one end of the case.

10. An outer protective case according to claim 9, in which each reinforcing panel is folded to provide a rectangular section reinforcing member.

11. An outer protective case according to claim 9 or 10, in which each reinforcing panel has first engaging means for interengagement with second engaging means of the said first end closure flap to retain each reinforcing member in a reinforcing condition.

12. An outer protective case according to claim 11 when dependent at least indirectly on claim 5 or 6, in which said second engaging means are provided in the said inclined third part of the first end closure flap.

13. An outer protective case according to claim 11 or 12, in which each first engaging means comprises a lug releasably engageable in a slot constituting a respective second engaging means.

14. An outer protective case according to any of the preceding claims, having a single second end closure flap hingedly connected to the side wall opposite the said one side wall.

15. An outer protective case according to claim 14, in which said single second end closure flap has a locking tab interengageable in a slot formed in said first end closure flap adjacent the hinged connection of the latter to said one side wall.

16. An outer protective case according to any of the preceding claims, having an opening, or weakening means provided in the sheet material to facilitate tearing of the latter to define an opening, positioned to enable material having free flowing properties to be dispensed through the opening, or the opening formed by tearing the sheet material along the weakening means, from a receptacle received and located within the outer protective case when the said second end closure flap(s) overlie(s) the first end closure flap.

17. A container comprising an outer protective case according to any of the preceding claims and an inner receptacle for material having free flowing properties fitted within the outer protective case, the said inner receptacle having a neck positioned within the aperture provided in said first end closure flap.

18. An outer protective case for a receptacle for material having free flowing properties, the outer protective case being constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A blank made of stiff, yet foldable material for an outer protective case for a receptacle for material having free flowing properties, the blank being constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A unitary blank of stiff, yet foldable sheet material for an outer protective case of rectangular cross-section for protecting a receptacle having free flowing properties, the blank comprising rectangular first, second, third and fourth panels hingedly connected together about parallel fold lines, the first and third panels being destined in an erected case to comprise a first pair of opposed side walls and the second and fourth panels being destined in an erected case to comprise a second pair of opposed side walls, a first end closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the fourth panel and provided, or adapted to be provided, with an aperture for receiving and locating the neck of a receptacle to be protected, and a second end closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the second panel and being foldable, on erection of a case from the blank, to overlie, and to be spaced from, at least a part of said first end closure flap.

21. A blank according to claim 20, including reinforcing panels hingedly connected to one end of the first and third panels, each reinforcing panel having spaced apart fold lines parallel to its hinged connection with the first or third panels so that in an erected case each reinforcing panel is folded about said fold lines to define a hollow section reinforcing member extending between said second pair of opposed side walls.