GB2202205A - Carton - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton, e.g. suitable for packaging an Easter egg, is transportable in a flat configuration, and can be set up merely by moving the sides (1-4) of the carton into a rectangular cylindrical configuration. A base portion (5-8) is associated with each side wall of the carton. Adjacent pairs (5,6) and (7,8) of base portions are permanently interconnected by adhesively securing the undersides of flaps (11,12) to the upper surfaces of portions (6,8). The crease lines (13,14) coincide with the edges (15,16) of portions (6,8) and the angle of the crease lines (13,14) between the permanently connected pairs of base portions is such that when the walls (1-4) are in a rectangular cylindrical configuration the base portions (5-8) slope upwardly and inwardly to terminate at a central opening (24) which forms a seat for an Easter egg. As the carton is moved into a rectangular cylindrical configuration tongues (21,22) interlock with the slots (21A,22A) and thereby maintain the carton in its set up configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

CARTON This invention relates to a carton, and more particularly to a carton of the type which is pre-formed and transported in a flat configuration to a user where the carton is set up prior to filling.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton which can be transported in a flat configuration and can be set up from the flat configuration by moving the side walls of the carton to a rectangular cylindrical configuration, the carton comprising: four side wall portions permanently interconnected such that, in the set up carton, the side wall portions together form a continuous side wall; and four base portions which, in the set up carton, form a concave base with an open central region which forms a seat for a convex object disposed in the carton, wherein each base portion has a first edge region hingedly connected to a respective one of the side wall portions, a second edge region, opposite the first edge region, which forms part of the seat of the set up carton, a third edge region which is permanently hingedly connected to a corresponding edge region of an adjacent base portion, and a fourth edge region, opposite the third edge region, which is formed with interlocking means for automatically interlocking with the interlocking means of the adjacent base portion as the carton is set up to retain the carton in its set up configuration.

A carton which is generally rectangular and which has a concave base with an open central region forming a seat is commonly used for packaging of Easter eggs.

It is desirable for such cartons to be pre-formed as much as possible by the carton manufactures, consistent with the need to transport the carton in a flat configuration from the carton manufacturer to the confectionary manufacturer in order to minimise transport costs.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable for the packaging of Easter eggs, and provides a carton which can readily be set up from a flat configuration simply by moving the side wall portions of the carton into a rectangular cylindrical configuration.

Such movement automatically engages the interlocking means of the base portions, thereby retaining the carton in its set up condition.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a carton blank; and Figure 2 is a perspective underside view of the carton as it is being set up.

Figure 1 illustrates a carton blank having side wall portions 1;2,3 and 4 and base portions 5,6,7, and s.

For the purposed of illustration the top edge 9 of the carton is illustrated as a simple straight edge, although it will be appreciated that any suitable arrangement of lids and side flaps may be provided along the top edge of the carton, if desired.

The carton blank is provided with a number of pre-formed crease lines illustrated in chain dotted line.

The crease line 10 which extends the full length of the blank hingedly connects the base portions 5-8 to associated side wall portions 1-4.

Base portions 5 and 7 include respective end flaps 11,12 which are separated from the main part of these base portions by crease lines 13,14 respectively, during manufacture of the carton the underside (as viewed in Figure 1) of the flap 11 is secured to the top surface (as view in Figure 1) of the flap 6 with the edge 15 of the flap 6 substantially coincident with the crease line 13. Similarly, the underside (as viewed in Figure 1) of flap 12 is secured to the upper surface (as viewed in Figure 1) of the base portion 8 with the edge 16 substantially coincident with the crease line 14. Also during carton manufacture, the upper surface (as viewed in Figure 1) of an end flap 17 is adhesively secured to the underside (as viewed in Figure 1) of the side wall portion 4 adjacent the edge 18 thereof.

The various connections referred to above may be achieved using the following sequence: firstly, the flaps 11,12 are folded about crease lines 13,14 to lie against respective base portions 5,6; secondly, base portions 5,6,7, and 8 are folded about crease line 10 to lie against the underside (as viewed in Figure 1) of the associated side wall portions 1,2,3 and 4; thirdly, adhesive is supplied to the exposed surface of the flap 11 and the carton is folded about crease line 19 until the side wall portion 1 lies flat against the side wall portion 2 with the base portions 5,6 trapped therebetween; Fourthly, adhesive is applied to the exposed faces of the flaps 17 and 12 and the carton is folded about crease line 20 until side wall portion 4 lies flat against side wall portion 3 with the base portions 7,8 and flap 17 therebetween.

The above sequence produces a flat folded carton.

To set up the carton the wall portions 1-4 are moved into a substantially rectangular cylindrical con figuration. This movement causes the base portions 5-8 to hinge about crease line 10. As the side wall portions approach a rectangular cylindrical configuration tongues 21,22 provided on the base portions 6,8enter associated locking slots 21A,22A respectively provided in base portions 5 and 7. This configuration is illustrated in Figure 2. Slight further movement of the wall portions permits locking tabs 23 provided on the tongues 21,22 to snap over the edge of slots 21A,22A thereby interlocking the base portion 6 with the base portion 7 and the base portion 8 with the base portion 5. The inherent resilience of the carton material maintains the tabs 23 in their operative position when the carton is released. In this fully set up position the base portions 5-8 each form an acute angle with their associated side wall portions 14 so that the base of the carton is generally concave.

The central region 24 of the carton defined by base portion edges 26-29 is open, and the edges 26-29 forming a seat to receive, e.g., and Easter egg.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the described embodiment of the invention, starting with a simple and economic blank as illustrated in Figure 1,enables a carton to be preformed in a flat configuration and subsequently to be set up merely by moving the side walls of the carton into their use positions.

Moving the side wall portions in this manner automatically forms the desired concave base and automatically produces interlocking of the base to maintain the carton in set up configuration.

Claims (5)

1. A carton which can be transported in a flat configuration and can be set up from the flat configuration by moving the side walls of the carton to a rectangular cylindrical configuration, the carton comprising: four side wall portions permanently interconnected such that, in the set up carton, the side wall portions together form a continuous side wall; and four base portions which, in the set up carton, form a concave base with an open central region which forms a seat for a convex object disposed in the carton, wherein each base portion has a first edge region hingedly connected to a respective one of the side wall portions, a second edge region, opposite the first edge region, which forms part of the seat of the set up carton, a third edge region which is permanently hingedly connected to a corresponding edge region of an adjacent base portion, and a fourth edge region, opposite the third edge region, which is formed with interlocking means for automatically interlocking with the interlocking means of the adjacent base portion as the carton is set up to retain the carton in its set up configuration.

2. A carton.according to claim 1 wherein the interlocking means comprises a pair of projecting tongues, one formed on the fourth edge region of each of a diametrically opposed pair of said base portions, and a pair of slots, one formed in the fourth edge region of each of the other pair of diametrically opposed base portions, the arrangement being such that each tongue automatically enters an associated slot as the carton is set up to interlock therewith.

3. A carton according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the third edge region of one of each pair of permanently hingedly connected base portions comprises a flap which is adhesively secured to the other of each pair of permanently hingedly connected base portions, each flap being separated from the main part of the base portion of which it forms part by a crease line which extends from a bottom corner of the carton upwardly and inwardly of the carton to terminate at the edge of the open central region.

4. A carton according to claim 3 wherein the third edge of each base portion which is secured to a flap is substantially coincident with the crease line which separates the associated flap from the remainder of its base portion.

5. A carton substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.