GB2313830A

GB2313830A - Container with support insert

Info

Publication number: GB2313830A
Application number: GB9711682A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Sabine
Original assignee: Fyffes Group Ireland Ltd
Current assignee: Fyffes Group Ireland Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-05
Filing date: 1997-06-05
Publication date: 1997-12-10
Also published as: GB9711682D0

Abstract

A self assembly aerated container for transporting and displaying fruit comprises a substantially rectangular open top box 10 having an insert 16 disposed therein along each of two opposite side walls 12 of the box. The insert 16 has a central panel 22 with at least three sub-panels 19-21 at each end folded to form a substantially triangular support pillar 23 in each corner of the box, each support pillar 23 being taller than at least part of one side wall 12, 13 of the box to aid in ventilating the box when a similar container is stacked on top. A fourth sub-panel 18 may extend along the first sub-panel 21. The insert 16 may be adhered to the box by adhesive only along the side wall 12 adjacent the central panel 22. The upper edge of the insert may have upwardly projecting tabs (27 fig 5) to engage corresponding apertures (28 fig 5) in the lower edge of another insert when boxes are stacked. Holes 25 may be provided in the insert 16 which align with slots 26 in the side wall 13 to further improve the ventilation of the container.

Description

SELF ASSEMBLY AERATED CONTAINER The present invention relates to a self assembly aerated container.

According to the present invention there is provided a self assembly aerated container comprising a substantially rectangular open top box having an insert disposed therein along two opposite sidewalls of the box, wherein each insert comprises a central panel and, at each end of the central panel, a series of at least three sub-panels folded to form a substantially triangular support pillar in a respective corner of the box for supporting a respective corner of a like container, each support pillar being higher than at least one sidewall of the box such that there is an aeration gap between the at least one sidewall and the base of the supported container.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a self assembly aerated container according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an insert for the container of Figure 1 of the drawings in a completely folded state; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insert of Figure 2 in a partially folded state; Figure 4 is a development of the insert of Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container according to the invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a self assembly aerated container according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a substantially rectangular open top box 10 formed from double ply cardboard and having a top edge 11. The box has opposite pairs of substantially parallel sidewalls 12 and 13 respectively, the sidewalls 13 being shorter than the sidewalls 12. The box has a base 14 which is formed in known manner by inwardly folding and securing together, as by adhesive, four flaps respectively joined by lines of weakening to the bottom edges of the four sidewalls 12, 12, 13, 13.

An oblong hole 15 running parallel to the top edge 11 is formed in the centre of each of the sidewalls 13.

This allows for easier lifting of the container when loaded with, for example, fruit.

It has been found that self assembled completely open top boxes with no support to maintain the product are not suitable for transporting or displaying fruit, in particular. This is because such boxes are not strong enough to be stacked on top of one another during transport and are prone to crushing. Such boxes also provide poor aeration of the fruit because, when stacked on top of one another, only the apertures 15 allow air to pass from outside the box over the fruit.

Also, fruit contained in such boxes is occluded by the sidewalls 12, 13 of the box when displayed in a retail outlet. This is not desirable and requires the unloading of the fruit into dedicated display stands at the retail outlet. This is time consuming and more likely to damage or bruise the fruit.

In the first embodiment, the container includes a pair of inserts 16, again formed of double ply cardboard, which are located within the box against respective sidewalls 13. It will be realised that both the inserts 16 and the box 10 can be fabricated from any material which allows lines of weakening to be defined, for example, kraft cardboard, recycled board, or any other malleable but weight supporting material.

Each insert 16 is formed from an elongated rectangular sheet, Figure 4, in which a plurality of transverse lines of weakening 17 are formed to define a central panel 22 and a series of four sub-panels 18, 19, 20, 21 located on either side of the central panel. Each insert 16 is symmetrical about a central transverse axis A and so only one half will be described for simplicity.

Beginning at the sub-panel 18 at the end of the insert, each sub-panel moving toward the sub-panel 21 is slightly longer than the previous panel. This allows the sub-panels 18...21 to be folded along the lines of weakening 17 in such manner that the sub-panel 21 is folded at an obtuse angle to the central panel 22 so as to extend obliquely away from the sidewall 13 towards the adjacent sidewall 12, the sub-panel 20 is folded at an acute angle relative to the sub-panel 21 so as to extend back along the sidewall 12 towards the corner of the box, the sub-panel 19 is folded substantially at right angles to the sub-panel 20 so as to extend along the sidewall 13 back towards the central panel, and the sub-panel 18 is folded at an acute angle relative to the sub-panel 19 so as to extend along the inside surface of the sub-panel 21.

As will be seen in Figures 1 to 3, such folding of the sub-panels 18...21 forms substantially right-angled triangular support pillars 23 one at each end of the central panel 22. The length of the central panel 22 added to the lengths of the two sub-panels 19 is chosen so that each insert 16 extends substantially fully along the length of each sidewall 13 and the support pillars 23 fit snugly into respective corners of the box.

The inserts 16 can be fixed into position by any conventional means, such as a cold melt adhesive.

Preferably, adhesive is provided only between the central panel 22 and the sub-panels 19 and the sidewall 13. However, if desired adhesive may also be provided between the sub-panels 20 and the sidewalls 12.

An oblong hole 24 is formed in the centre of the central panel 22 so that when the insert 16 is in position, the hole 24 lies in register with the hole 15, so that handling of the container is not affected by the insert.

In use, containers as described above may be stacked one upon another with the tops of the four pillars 23 respectively engaging and supporting the four corners of the base 14 of the overlying container. Each insert 16 is of a height hl greater than the height h2 of the top edge 11 of the sidewalls 12, 13. Thus, fruit may be loaded into the container 10 to the height hl of the inserts. Because the fruit sits proud of the top edge 11 of the box it is more visible and thus usable in a retail outlet display. The support pillars 23 also provide enhanced strength and allow more containers to be safely stacked on top of one another during transport. When stacked, there is a gap of height hl-h2 between the top edge 11 of one container and the base of the overlying container. This allows for greater aeration of the fruit and a more aesthetic display.

It will be seen that, for each insert, the central panel 22 prevents the support pillars 23 from collapsing towards one another when containers are stacked on top of one another. Also, because the central panel 22 can be fixed to the end wall and also because fruit contained in the box bears against the central panel, the central panel prevents the insert 16 from collapsing towards the centre of the box.

If greater aeration is required then additional holes can be formed in the insert 16. In the first embodiment, a pair of obround holes 25 disposed on either side and running parallel to the axis A are formed in the insert 16. These holes lie in register with respective slots 26, removed from the top edge 11 of the sidewalls 13, when the insert 16 is located in the box 10, Figure 1.

It will seen that while the embodiment described includes two identical inserts 16, this is not necessary and if required non matching pairs of inserts can be used.

It will also be seen that the invention provides a simple to assemble aerated container. This is critical where many such containers must be assembled by unskilled workers when fruit is packed prior to being transported.

The container 10 contains less cardboard than traditional boxes, because it does not require a cover and because of the reduced height of the sidewalls 12, 13 respectively.

Fruit, such as bananas, needs to be kept cool when being transported over long distances. Then, before being transported to the point of sale, the bananas are warmed to cause the bananas to ripen sufficiently. The aeration of the container 10 means that warm or cool air can flow easily and evenly through stacked containers and across the bananas. Thus, less power is required to cool or warm the bananas contained in the containers.

In addition a more even ripening of the bananas is achieved at a lower power. Also, the containers can be put directly on display after transport, with the fruit (bananas) in the containers displayed in a more attractive manner.

In a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 5, two tabs 27 are provided on the upper edge of the central panel 22. The tab(s) 27 on the upper edge fit into respective hole(s) 28 formed in the base of another box and locate in corresponding slots 29 removed from the lower edge of a central panel 22 located in the other box. This allows boxes to be stacked on top of one another in a uniform and secure fashion.

In the second embodiment, the panels 18...21 extend to a height hl, as in the first embodiment, while the central panel 22 has a height h3 greater than h2 and less than hl. The sidewalls 12 and 13 are shaped to extend to the same height hl as the panels 18...21 at the corners of the box to provide enhanced support at those points. The sidewalls 13 extend to the reduced height h3 towards the centre of the sidewalls 13. This causes each sidewall 13 to follow the profile of the insert 16, with the exception of the tabs 27. Thus an aeration gap is still provided through the sidewalls 13, although of less height than in the first embodiment. However, except immediately at the corners, the height of the sidewalls 12 is h2 as in the first embodiment, so that along these sidewalls substantially the same aeration gap is provided as in the first embodiment.

In both embodiments, tabs (not shown) can also be formed on the lower edge of the panel 22 to fit into respective holes formed internally within the base of the box to allow the insert 16 fit positively into the box 10. The insert 16 can be glued to the box 10 via the tabs rather than across the surface of the central panel 22 and the sub-panels 19. This reduces the amount of glue required and thus reduces the overall cost of the box.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A self assembly aerated container comprising a substantially rectangular open top box having an insert disposed therein along two opposite sidewalls of the box, wherein each insert comprises a central panel and, at each end of the central panel, a series of at least three sub-panels folded to form a substantially triangular support pillar in a respective corner of the box for supporting a respective corner of a like container, each support pillar being higher than at least one sidewall of the box such that there is an aeration gap between the at least one sidewall and the base of the supported container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-panels comprise a first sub-panel folded at an obtuse angle to the central panel so as to extend obliquely away from the respective sidewall against which the central panel is disposed and towards the sidewall at right angles thereto, a second sub-panel folded at an acute angle relative to the first sub-panel so as to extend back along the last mentioned sidewall towards the corner of the box, and a third sub-panel folded substantially at right angles to the second sub-panel so as to extend along the first mentioned sidewall towards the central panel.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, further including a fourth sub-panel folded at an acute angle relative to the third sub-panel so as to extend along th inside surface of the first sub-panel.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each insert is adhesively secured in position in the box, the adhesive being provided only between the insert and the sidewall against which the central panel is disposed.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper edge of each insert has a pair of laterally spaced upwardly extending tabs and the lower edge of each insert has corresponding apertures such that when a like container is supported on the pillars the tabs engage in the apertures of the supported container.