GB2260120A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container in the form of an open topped box 1 suitable for stacking is formed from a flexible sheet material with opposite end walls formed by folding a section of the sheet material around inwardly extending 4 sections of the opposite side 3 walls of the box 1 and also around a separate insert panel 6. The end walls are then formed of a composite of four layers of the sheet material. <IMAGE>

Description

"CONTAINER" This invention relates to containers in the form of open topped boxes formed from sheet materials.

Containers in the form of open topped boxes are used in the storage, handling and display of goods, such as groceries or any loose items, and are stackable so as to take up the smallest and neatest space possible.

These boxes are often stacked to considerable height which can result in loss of their rigidity in their rectangular sense. The vertical strength of the lower boxes is also often not enough to sustain the weight of the boxes above. These problems result in collapse of stacks, often in the process of moving complete blocks of boxes, and therefore possibly the loss of products if damageable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container in the form of a stackable box with improved strength, rigidity and stability.

According to the present invention there is provided a container in the form of an open box formed from a flexible sheet material, opposite end walls of said box comprising a composite of four layers of said sheet material, formed by folding a section of said sheet around inwardly extending sections of opposite side walls of said box and a separate insert panel.

Preferably, the folded section of material is retained in position by securing means, for example a projecting segment and a corresponding slit in the container base.

Preferably also, the flexible sheet material comprises a corrugated plastics or cardboard material, or other light-weight material.

Preferably also, the inwardly extending sections of two opposite sides co-operate so as to form a section extending substantially the full width of said container.

Preferably also, the folded end walls include one or more vertically projecting segments.

More preferably, the insert panels also include corresponding vertically projecting segments.

Most preferably, the folded end walls of the container include slots for receiving the projecting segments of a second container when stacking of the containers occurs.

Preferably also, the container has ventilation holes for the circulation of air through the containers.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. la is a plan view of one end of a container in accordance with the present invention before folding; Fig. lb is a separate insert panel of the container Fig. 1; Fig. 2a is a perspective view of one end of a partially formed container; and Fig. 2b is a perspective view of one end of a fully formed container.

Referring to Figs. la and lb, a container in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The container is in the form of a box 1 which in plan consists of a base 2, two longer opposite sides 3 with inwardly extending sections in the form of flaps 4, and a folding end section 5. There is also a separate insert panel 6.

The base 2, side flaps 4, and separate insert panel 6 all contain corresponding slots 7 which in use receive vertically projecting segments 8 of the box stacked directly below as will be described below.

The outer edge of section 5 also has smaller projections 9 which hold the fully formed box in shape by latching into slits 10 in the base 2.

Referring to Fig. 2a, the box 1 is formed by folding the two longer sides 3 perpendicularly to the base 2 and folding the flaps 4 to form the shape of the box.

The separate insert panel 6 (shown with heraldic shading and as transparent solely for clarity in this illustration) is placed against the flaps 4 and the folding section 5 is folded over both flaps 4 and separate insert panel.

The vertically projecting segments 8 of the panel 6 project through the holes 11 left by the opened segments 8 of section 5 when folded.

The smaller projections 9 of section 5 latch into slits 10 in the base 2 to form a finished box as seen in Fig.

2b.

A number of boxes formed in this way can then be stacked with the vertically, projecting segments 8 being received in the corresponding slots 7 of the box above giving stability to the stack of boxes.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A container in the form of an open box formed from a flexible sheet material, opposite end walls of said box comprising a composite of four layers of said sheet material, formed by folding a section of said sheet around inwardly extending sections of opposite side walls of said box and a separate insert panel.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the folded section of material is retained in position by securing means, in the form of a projecting segment and a corresponding slit in the container base.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the flexible sheet material comprises a corrugated plastics or cardboard material, or other light-weight material.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the inwardly extending sections of two opposite sides co-operate so as to form a section extending substantially the full width of said container.

5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the folded end walls include one or more vertically projecting segments.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the insert panel also includes corresponding vertically projecting segments.

7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the folded end walls of the container include slots for receiving the projecting segments of a second container when stacking of the containers occurs.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the container has ventilation holes for the circulation of air through the containers.

9. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.