GB2312204A

GB2312204A - An elongate boundary wall panel

Info

Publication number: GB2312204A
Application number: GB9707337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Hallam
Original assignee: Concept Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Concept Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 1996-04-20
Filing date: 1997-04-11
Publication date: 1997-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-11
Also published as: GB9608232D0; GB2312204B; GB9707337D0

Abstract

An elongate boundary wall panel for a container comprises a major portion (4, 104), a first marginal flange (12, 112) along at least part of one edge of the major portion (4, 104) separated from the major portion (4, 104) by a fold line and a second marginal flange (16, 116) along at least part of the first marginal flange (12, 112) separated from the first marginal flange (12, 112) by a fold line, in which the second marginal flange (16, 116) is folded over the first marginal flange (12, 112) The first and/or second marginal flange (12, 112) (16, 116) is secured directly or indirectly to the major portion (4, 104) thereby to form a ledge along a substantial part thereof having a thickness greater than the thickness of either of the first marginal flange (12, 112) or the second marginal flange (16, 116).

Description

AN ELONGATE BOUNDARY WALL PANEL Field of the Invention The present invention relates to elongate boundary wall panels for containers. In this specification the term "containers" shall include lids for containers.

Background to the Invention It is a constant aim in the packaging industry to provide containers that combine the virtues of economy of manufacture, convenience of transport and ease of assembly. It is also important, especially at the upper end of the market, for the appearance of the packaging to be of high quality.

It is known from United Kingdom patent application no. GB 2,283,965A to provide a container comprising a boundary wall which extends around and supports a base member. The base member may be a disk, and the boundary wall together with the disk define a cylindrical container. The base is held in position within the boundary wall at a level above the bottom of the wall by a ledge defined by an in-turned flange. The ledge is formed by making a continuous score line along a bottom edge of the boundary wall panel and turning the flange formed thereby up so that it lies against the boundary wall. When the flat piece of card forming the boundary wall is curved during the process of making up the container, the opposite ends of the flange are brought into mutual abutment and, by provision of the continuous score line and curve of the container, the in-turned flange is held in face-to-face engagement with the interior face of the boundary wall without requiring adhesive to keep the flange in that position. Opposite ends of the wall panel may be secured together by means of gluing, for example, and the base inserted within the space defined by the boundary wall until it lies atop the ledge formed by the flange.

A market demand has arisen for a container with the advantages of GB 2,283,965A in a fold flat form.

Furthermore, it is desirable to have a turned over top to get rid of the raw edge visible previously. When the top of a container according to GB 2,283,965A is turned over and glued in place it has been found that it is not constructionally sound. In particular, the container which should be flat in the plane of the disc warps unacceptably. Normally, the greater the amount of material folded over, the greater the distortion. It is believed that this is because of an imbalance of forces.

As the wall is curved to take the disc, the inner layer exerts a force because it is effectively being asked to occupy a small distance relative to the outer layer. In flat form they travel the same distance (running track principle). This is exaggerated as the thickness of material increases. If sufficiently thin board is used to obtain a satisfactory curve in a carton of around 100mm diameter, it will not provide a satisfactory ledge.

A new construction has therefore been devised which surprisingly has been bound to provide an advantageous structure even when a top edge is not folded over and/or whether it is in a fold flat form.

It is an aim of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to obviate or overcome disadvantages of the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Sun-ary of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided an elongate boundary wall panel for a container, the panel comprising a major portion, a first marginal flange along at least part of one edge of the major portion separated from the side wall by a fold line, a second marginal flange along at least part of the first marginal flange separated from the first marginal flange by a fold line; in which the second marginal flange is folded over the first marginal flange and the first and/or second marginal flange is secured directly or indirectly to the major portion, thereby to form a ledge along a substantial part thereof having a thickness greater than the thickness of either of the first marginal flange or the second marginal flange.

Suitably, the ledge has substantially the thickness of the aggregate of the thicknesses of the first and second marginal flanges.

Such a construction provides additional flange thickness for support of the base in use. It is to be noted that the first or second marginal flange can be secured directly or indirectly to the major portion. The construction can allow the second marginal flange to be secured to the major portion.

Suitably, the panel comprises a third marginal flange along at least part of the second marginal flange separated therefrom by a fold line.

The panel may therefore be of a one piece construction.

Suit ably, the depth of the first marginal flange is greater than the depth of the second marginal flange.

Suitably, the depth of the third marginal flange is greater than the depth of the first marginal flange.

Suitably, the second marginal flange is secured directly to the third marginal flange. Suitably, the third marginal flange is secured directly to the major portion.

Suitably, the panel comprises means for securing the ends of the panel together. Suitably, the end securing means comprises a tab on one end of the panel which tab is secured to the other end of the panel thereby to form a loop.

Suitably, the tab is configured to abut a corresponding region at the other end of the loop, thereby to located the ends of the loop relative to each other.

Suitably, the tab comprises a projection adopted to underlie a flange. Suitably, the projection is substantially adjacent a fold line between the major portion and the flange it underlies, in use. Suitably, the projection is substantially adjacent a fold line between the tab and the major portion. Suitably, the tab generally tapers in the region about the projection, with the exception of the projection.

Suitably, there is provided a further marginal flange extending from another edge of the major portion, which further marginal flange is separated from the major portion by a fold line. More suitably, the further marginal flange is folded onto and secured (usually glued) to the body portion, preferably directly secured thereto.

Folding over the further marginal flange removes the visible raw edge increasing the aesthetic appeal of the container formed from the panel. Suitably, the further marginal flange stops short of the ledge, thereby to form a slot.

Suitably, with the panel formed into a loop, the projection is located at least partly between the major portion and the further marginal flange, adjacent a fold line therebetween. The projection can therefore allow the ends of the loop to be joined correctly, ie to avoid skew.

With the third marginal flange secured (usually glued) to the major portion, and the ends of the panel secured together to form a loop it has been found that the forces along either edge of the panel are balanced. A flat based and aesthetically pleasing container can therefore be produced.

A further disadvantage of the panel described in GB 2,283,965 is that it takes up considerable volume in transportation if it is carried in its looped form. It is advantageous to carry the panel in its looped form because it then requires less skill, effort and hence cost in subsequent manufacture.

Suitably, the major portion includes at least one fold line generally perpendicular to the fold line between the first marginal flange and the body portion. The additional fold line generally enables the panel to be flat packed for transport in its looped state.

It is possible, however, that the marginal flanges may curve or crumple undesirably. Accordingly in a further improvement, the marginal flanges are absent in a region of the panel, which region is preferably the region of the transverse score of the major portion.

Suitably, the panel consists of card or the like material.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided an elongate boundary wall panel for a container, the panel comprising an elongate panel having an edge, a first end and a second end, an edge flap foldably attached to the edge and an end flap foldably attached to the first end in which the boundary panel can be formed into a loop in which the end flap is located by abutment with the edge flap, characterised in that the end flap includes a projection that underlies the edge flap, in use.

Suitably, the projection is substantially adjacent the fold line between the edge flap and the elongate panel.

Suitably, the projection extends from a region of the end flap that tapers towards the fold line between the end flap and its end.

Suitably the projection is substantially adjacent the fold line between the end flap and its end.

Suitably, with the wall panel formed into a loop, the projection is located at least partly between the elongate panel and the edge flap, adjacent a fold line therebetween.

According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a container comprising an elongate boundary wall panel according to the first or second aspects of the invention.

Suitably, the container comprises a disc forming a base, a substantial part of the periphery of the disc abutting the boundary wall panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank of a panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a container comprising the panel blank shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of part of the blank shown in Figure 1 with the two ends joined as in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation along the line IV- IV in Figure 3 with the spacings between the layers exaggerated for emphasis.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation similar to Figure 4 of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view of part of a blank for the second embodiment shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional elevation similar to Figure 4 of the third embodiment.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the two ends of the blank of Figure 7 joined together in a boundary wall panel.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional elevation of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred 9ihodiment8 Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a blank for an elongate boundary wall panel 2 comprising a generally planar major portion 4 including two similar rectangular panels 6, 8 attached at a fold line 10 perpendicular to the elongate axis of the panel 2.

Extending from a long edge of the rectangular panel 6 is a two part first marginal flange 12A, 12B. The first marginal flange 12A, 12B is separated from the major portion 4 by a fold line in each case 14A, 14B.

Extending from each first marginal flange 12A, 12B is a second marginal flange 16A, 16B separated by a fold line 18A, 18B. Extending from the second marginal flange 16A, 16B is a third marginal flange 20A, 20B separated therefrom by fold line 22A, 22B.

The first and second marginal flanges 12A, 12B, 16A, 16B taper inwardly adjacent the fold line 10. The third marginal flange 20A, 20B then extends generally parallel to fold line 10. At one end (6) of the major portion 4, first marginal flange 12A tapers inwardly and second marginal flange 16A extends generally parallel to fold line 10. Third marginal flange 20A includes a stepped configuration 24 at that end. At the other end (8) of major portion 4 the first marginal flange 12B tapers inwardly, the second marginal flange 16B tapers outwardly by about the same amount as the first marginal flange 12B tapers inwardly and the third marginal flange 20B is generally parallel to fold line 10. At the same end of major portion 4 is a tab 26 separated from a major portion 4 by a fold line 28.

The first marginal flange 12A, 12B has a depth x slightly greater than the depth y of the second marginal flange 16A, 16B. The third marginal flange 20A, 20B has a depth z greater than that of the first marginal flange 12A, 12B and approximately equal to half the depth a of the major portion 4.

On the opposite end of major portion 4 is a further two part marginal flange 30A, 30B extending from major portion 4 on either side of fold 10. The further marginal flange 30A, 30B is separated from major portion 4 by a fold line 32A, 32B. At one end (6) of the panel, the further marginal flange 30A is tapered inwardly. At the other end (8) the further marginal flange 30B extends from the major portion 4 parallel to fold lines 10 and 28. The depth z' of the further marginal flange 30A, 30B is substantially equal to the depth z of the third marginal flange 20A, 20B. In this case z = z' = Ma so the ends of the third and further marginal flanges 20A, 20B, 30A, 30B respectively butt up when folded together. The join line 31 is shown in Figure 2, referred to below.

As can be seen in Figure 1 there is, therefore, a gap at fold line 10 between each of the parts of first, second, third and further marginal flanges 12A, 12B, 16A, 16B, 20A, 20B and 30A, 30B respectively.

The panel 2 therefore comprises a one-piece integral and unitary construction of card approximately 1.5mm thick. The fold lines referred to above are created by scores in the card of the panel 2.

To form from the blank shown in Figure 1 a container boundary wall as shown in Figures 2-4 of the drawings that follow, the second marginal flange 16A, 16B is folded over onto and glued to third marginal flange 20A, 20B in a face to face parallel relationship. The third marginal flange 20A, 20B is then folded over onto and glued onto major portion 4 thereby also folding over the first and second marginal flanges 12A, 12B, 16A, 16B into a parallel relationship with major portion 4. This forms a ledge 34 having a thickness of twice the thickness of the card of panel 2 standing proud of third marginal flange 20A, 20B.

The further marginal flange 30A, 30B is folded over and glued to major portion 4 be in a parallel relationship with major portion 4. A crease line is therefore established between major portion 4 and further marginal flange 30A, 30B. The tab 26 is then glued to the other end of marginal portion 4 to form a loop (see Figure 2 especially). It will be noted that the shapes of the tab 26, of first to third and further marginal flanges 12A, 12B, 16A, 16B, 20A, 20B and 30A, 30B respectively and in particular of stepped configuration 24 are such that the tab 26 lies against major portion 4.

A disk 36 can then be inserted in the loop formed by panel 2 and can therefore be configured to a variety of shapes such as circles, ovals, hearts etc.

It will be appreciated that the surface areas of the third and further marginal flanges 20A, 20B and 30A, 30B respectively glued to major portion 4 are substantially equal.

The boundary wall panel 2 can be flat packed by being folded down flat about fold line 10 and the fold 28 of tab 26. The base 36, typically of the same thickness card, can be packed flat also.

A locating lug can be provided on the base 36 for interengagement with a slot (not shown) to further secure the base 36 if desired.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a second embodiment according to the present invention. In Figures 5 and 6 there is shown an elongate boundary wall panel 102 similar to that shown in Figures 1-4, except that the ledge (34 in Figures 1-4) is of a different construction.

The panel 102 comprises a major portion 104 from which extends a first marginal flange 112 and a second marginal flange 116. The first marginal flange 112 is separated from major portion 104 by a fold line 114 (formed by a crease) and from the second marginal flange 116 by a fold line 118 (formed by a reverse score).

To form a ledge 134, as shown in Figure 5, from the blank of Figure 6, the first marginal flange 112 is folded over to lie in a face to face relation with major portion 104 and is glued thereto. Second marginal flange 116 is then folded over to lie in a face to face relation with first marginal flange 112. It is optional for second marginal flange 116 to be glued to first marginal flange 112, but at the present time it is preferred for it not to be glued for convenience of manufacture.

When the panel 102 is configured into a closed loop to form a container (such as shown in Figure 2), the second marginal flange 116 is biassed towards the position shown in Figure 5, in which it lies in face to face relation with first marginal flange 112. The ledge 134 thereby formed has the aggregate thickness of the first and second marginal flanges 112, 116 respectively and can be used to support a disk 136.

Referring to Figures 7-9 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a third embodiment of the present invention.

In Figures 7-9 there is shown an elongate boundary wall panel 202 comprising a major portion 204 having two substantially similar rectangular panels 206, 208 separated by a fold line 210. Extending from one long edge of major portion 204, from each of panels 206, 208 are first marginal flanges 212A, 212B separated from panels 206, 208 by fold lines 214A, 214B. Extending from first marginal flanges 212A, 212B are second marginal flanges 216A, 216B separated from first marginal flanges 212A, 212B by fold lines 218A, 218B. Extending from the opposite long edge of major portion 204 is a further (larger) marginal flange 230A, 230B (separated from major portion 2 by fold lines 232A, 232B) having at one end (204) a stepped configuration 234. At the other (206) end of major portion 204 is an end flap 236 separated from panel 206 by fold line 238.

First and second marginal flanges 212A, 212B, 216A, 216B are substantially similar to corresponding flanges 12A, 12B, 16A, 16B in the first embodiment of the present invention. Further marginal flange 230A, 230B has a depth slightly less than that of major portion 204.

End flap 236 includes a stepped configuration 240 adapted to abut against stepped configuration 234, and a nose or projection 242. End flap 236 extends generally from the juncture of fold lines 232B, 238 to a shoulder 237 at which it runs vertically to a second shoulder to a second stepped configuration 241. Thus, the end flap 236 tapers towards the juncture of fold lines 232B, 238 except for nose/projection 242.

The hatching in Figure 7 will be explained below.

Referring to Figure 8, the panel 202 is formed into a closed loop, in which a ledge 242 is created from first marginal flange 212A and second marginal flange 216A with support from further marginal flange 230A in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. Further marginal flange 230A does not extend for the full depth of major portion 204, but far enough to underlie first and second marginal flanges 212A, 216A.

Referring to Figure 9, the ends of panels 206, 208 are joined as shown to form a looped boundary wall panel.

The stepped configuration 240 of the end flap 236 substantially abuts against stepped configuration 234 of further marginal flange 230A to locate the panels 206, 208 relative to one another. This is further assisted by the abutment of flap 236 with first marginal flange 212A. The nose or projection 242 is slipped under further marginal flange 230A, as shown. This helps to interlock the panels 206, 208 resisting, in particular, lifting of the top of flap 236. Furthermore, it assists the gluing of panels 206, 208 together by providing additional gluing area in a region that otherwise would provide little surface area for gluing. That is, only the hatched area of further marginal flange 230A, 230B and end flap 236 is glued leaving a strip 244 (Figure 7) unglued. In the region of nose or projection 242 there is little other gluing area.

Referring to Figure 10, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown that is generally similar to the third embodiment described above. In Figure 10, an exterior panel 306 is foldably connected to a first marginal flange 312A and a second marginal flange 330A at its other edge. In this fourth embodiment, the further marginal flange 330A stops short of the first and second marginal flanges 312A, 316A thereby to provide, in use, a circumferential slot 390 in which a base panel (not shown) can fit. The first and second marginal flanges 312A, 316A provide a ledge of sufficient thickness to support a base panel (not shown) while the slot 390 helps prevent the base panel (not shown) from riding up.

It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the fold 10 (or 210) may be replaced by an intermediate panel (not shown) separated at either end from the major portions 4 (or 104 or 204) respectively by fold lines (not shown), and the marginal flanges need not extend from such an intermediate panel.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims:

1. An elongate boundary wall panel for a container, the panel comprising a major portion, a first marginal flange along at least part of one edge of the major portion separated from the side wall by a fold line, a second marginal flange along at least part of the first marginal flange separated from the first marginal flange by a fold line; in which the second marginal flange is folded over the first marginal flange and the first and/or second marginal flange is secured directly or indirectly to the major portion, thereby to form a ledge along a substantial part thereof having a thickness greater than the thickness of either of the first marginal flange or the second marginal flange.

2. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 1, in which the ledge has substantially the thickness of the aggregate of the thicknesses of the first and second marginal flanges.

3. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the panel comprises a third marginal flange along at least part of the second marginal flange separated therefrom by a fold line.

4. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim, in which the depth of the first marginal flange is greater than the depth of the second marginal flange.

5. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 3, in which the depth of the third marginal flange is greater than the depth of the first marginal flange.

6. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 3 or claim 5, in which the second marginal flange is secured directly to the third marginal flange.

7. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claims 3, 5 or 6, in which the third marginal flange is secured directly to the major portion.

8. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim, in which the panel comprises means for securing the ends of the panel together.

9. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 8, in which the end securing means comprises a tab on one end of the panel which tab is secured to the other end of the panel thereby to form a loop.

10. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 9, in which the tab is configured to abut a corresponding region at the other end of the loop, thereby to located the ends of the loop relative to each other.

11. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the tab comprises a projection adopted to underlie a flange.

12. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 11, in which the projection is substantially adjacent a fold line between the major portion and the flange it underlies, in use.

13. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the projection is substantially adjacent a fold line between the tab and the major portion.

14. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claims 11 to 13, in which the tab generally tapers in the region about the projection, with the exception of the projection.

15. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim, in which there is provided a further marginal flange extending from another edge of the major portion, which further marginal flange is separated from the major portion by a fold line.

16. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 15 where dependent directly or indirectly on claim 11, in which with the panel formed into a loop, the projection is located at least partly between the major portion and the further marginal flange, adjacent a fold line therebetween.

17. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 15 or claim 16, in which the further marginal flange is folded onto and secured (usually glued) to the body portion.

18. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 17, in which the further marginal flange stops short of the ledge, thereby to form a slot.

19. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim, in which the major portion includes at least one fold line generally perpendicular to the fold line between the first marginal flange and the body portion.

20. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim, in which the marginal flanges are absent in a region of the panel.

21. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 20, in which the region in which the marginal flanges are absent is the region of the transverse score of the major portion.

22. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim, in which the panel consists of card or the like material.

23. An elongate boundary wall panel for a container, the panel comprising an elongate panel having an edge, a first end and a second end, an edge flap foldably attached to the edge and an end flap foldably attached to the first end in which the boundary panel can be formed into a loop in which the end flap is located by abutment with the edge flap, characterised in that the end flap includes a projection that underlies the edge flap, in use.

24. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 23, in which the projection is substantially adjacent the fold line between the edge flap and the elongate panel.

25. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claim 23 or claim 24, in which the projection extends from a region of the end flap that tapers towards the fold line between the end flap and its end.

26. An elongate boundary wall panel according to claims 23 to 25, in which the projection is substantially adjacent the fold line between the end flap and its end.

27. An elongate boundary wall panel according to any one of claims 23-26, in which with the wall panel formed into a loop, the projection is located at least partly between the elongate panel and the edge flap, adjacent a fold line therebetween.

28. An elongate boundary wall panel substantially described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-4 or 5 and 6 or 7-9 or 10 of the drawings that follow.

29. A container comprising an elongate boundary wall panel according to any preceding claim.

30. A container according to claim 29, in which the container comprises a disc forming a base, a substantial part of the periphery of the disc abutting the boundary wall panel.