GB2333093A

GB2333093A - Packages

Info

Publication number: GB2333093A
Application number: GB9800468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alistair Phillips
Original assignee: JARVIS PORTER GROUP PLC; WACE CORPORATE PACKAGING PLC
Current assignee: JARVIS PORTER GROUP PLC; WACE CORPORATE PACKAGING PLC
Priority date: 1998-01-09
Filing date: 1998-01-09
Publication date: 1999-07-14
Also published as: GB9800468D0

Abstract

A package is derived from a planar blank which consists of a core element (2) with a plurality of petal elements (4) extending radially therefrom. A flange (6) is hingedly attached at adjacent lateral sides of the petal elements (4) along non-linear axes. Adjacent flanges 6 are interconnected. The petal elements (4) are coupled to the core element (2) by hinged connections, and the package is formed by the petal elements (4) being turned in the same sense relative to the core element (2) with adjacent flanges (6) deforming their respective petal elements (4). The distal ends of the petal elements (4) are connected to close gaps between adjacent elements (4) and preserve the deformation thereof, tongues (14) and slots (16) forming the connections with the top of the package open. Alternatively, the top of the package may be closed.

Description

PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION DISPLAYS This invention relates to packaging and presentation displays, and relates particularly to packages derived from planar blanks. One aim of the invention is to provide a package which creates aesthetic features in a durable structure.

Packages derived from planar blanks are well-known.

They are used to form closed containers for products of all kinds, and open or display containers which also provide support for and protection of the contents prior to use.

Some such packages are also used as bases for products which extend or project therefrom.

A package according to the invention is derived from a planar blank. The blank has a core element with a periphery divided into discrete sections and a plurality of petal elements extending radially from the core element.

Each peripheral section of the core element forms the base of a petal element and defines a hinged connection thereto.

A flange is hingedly attached at adjacent lateral sides of the petal elements along a non-linear axis, and provision is made for connecting adjacent such flanges. In order to convert the blank into a package, the petal elements are turned in the same sense relative to the core element with adjacent flanges deforming their respective petal elements.

The distal ends of the petal elements are connected to close gaps between adjacent petal elements, and preserve the deformation thereof. The lateral flanges in the formed package can create an aesthetic feature, and the deformation of petal elements can increase the resilient structure of the package. Normally, a pair of flanges will be disposed between each set of juxtaposed petal element edges in the package, although some adjacent petal elements could be interconnected by other means or merely overlap in the formed package.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the axis of the hinge attaching each flange to its respective petal element is curved. This provides for uniform deformation of the respective petal elements, and the preferred deformation is outwards. Such deformation is achieved by forming the hinge axis of the respective flange convex relative to the flange such that when the flange is directed inwardly as the package is formed, the respective petal element is deformed outwardly. With this arrangement, the distal edges of the flanges between adjacent petal elements will be in relatively close proximity, and can be shaped to provide different degrees of closure at the junction therebetween. This enables the package to be used for relatively flowable or frangible contents.

In packages and package blanks according to the invention, each peripheral section of the core element is normally linear. This facilitates the transformation of the blank into the package, but if desired a degree of curvature can be imparted to one or more of the peripheral sections such that upon conversion the orientation of a respective petal element is predetermined, not only by its convergence with other petal elements, but also by its hinged connection to the core element. It may also be noted that the hinged connection between the petal element and the respective peripheral section of the core element does not have to extend or be formed along the entire length of the peripheral section. The hinged connection can extend along a part of the respective peripheral section, or indeed over a number of different parts of the peripheral section.

It will be appreciated from the above discussion that, generally, the petal elements in packages and package blanks according to the invention will comprise panels to the sides of which the flanges are attached. Typically, the panels of all the petal elements will have the same dimensions, but they can be different. Different lateral dimensions will, if matched by equivalent differences in the shape and dimensions of the core element, alter the symmetry of the blank and package. Different longitudinal dimensions will of course alter the shape and appearance at the end of the formed package opposite the core element, and variations in this respect will normally be selected particularly for display purposes. However, panels or petal elements can also be extended to provide closure of what would otherwise be an open end of the package.

Adjacent flanges in packages and blanks according to the invention can be connected within the material of the blank, or by some additional mechanism. Typically, adjacent flanges are connected to one another along common edges thereof extending from adjoining ends of adjacent core element peripheral sections. The connection will preferably form a linear hinge. This form of connection enhances the rigidity of the formed package and, of course, assists in predetermining the ultimate orientation of the flanges as the blank is converted into the package.

As noted above, the petal sections can be extended longitudinally from the core element. These extensions can be adapted to interconnect with each other either to close the package end or form a defined opening. For example, an extension from each petal element can form a flap, and if each flap is divergent, the interconnective flaps can form a frusto-conical opening opposite the core element. This can be particularly useful for display purposes when products project through the opening. A simple tubular opening can, of course, be formed by a plurality of substantially rectangular extensions or extension flaps.

The invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a blank embodying the invention and from which the package of Figure 1 is formed; Figure 3 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 1, showing a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 1, showing a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a blank embodying the invention from which the embodiment of Figure 5 is formed.

The blank of Figure 2 comprises a square core element (2) with four petal elements (4) extending from each side of the square. The blank is formed from a plastics material, which is scored or otherwise weakened along the sides of the core element to form a hinged connection between the core and each petal. Extending laterally from each petal element (4) is a flange (6), and the boundary between each flange and its respective petal also forms a hinge. The axis of the hinge is non-linear, and as shown in Figure 2 adjacent or juxtaposed flanges are connected along a further hinged joint (8). Because of this interconnection, when the blank is folded in the same sense along each side of the core element (2), the interconnected flanges deform the main panels of the petal elements. The direction and nature of the deformation is of course determined by the orientation of the flanges, i.e. inwards or outwards, the panel deformation being of course in the opposite sense. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the flanges are oriented inwardly such that the panels of the petal elements are deformed outwardly. The free edges of the flanges (6) are straight and, as a consequence, when the top of the package of Figure 1 is closed, adjacent edges are substantially aligned, thereby substantially closing any gap therebetween. The result is that each petal element forms a resilient wall under elastic stress while forming a closed package with distinctive features.

At the distal end of each petal element (4) there is a flap (10) which, once again, is hingedly attached along an axis (12). Each flap has the shape of a trapezium, diverging from the axis (12). This results in the flared open top of the package shown in Figure 1, when the distal ends of the petal elements (4) are connected, such that the axes (12) are substantially contiguous. In order to make the connection, the divergent sides of the flaps (10) are formed respectively with tongues (14) and slots (16) to hold adjacent edges together as shown.

The assembly of the package shown in Figure 3 is broadly similar to that of the package and blank of Figures 1 and 2. However, in this case the core element of the blank is a hexagon with six convergent petal elements extending from the sides thereof. In other respects, the assembly is the same.

Figure 4 shows another package embodying the invention which is broadly similar to that of Figure 1, but differs in that the flaps (10) are separated from their respective petal elements (4) by a rectangular section (18). The connecting mechanisms are incorporated in these sections, and the result, as shown, is that in the package there is a portion of uniform cross section between the distal ends of the petal elements (4) and the divergent flaps (10).

It will also be appreciated that in this embodiment the flaps themselves are not connected to one another, creating a looser opening at the top of the package.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention which, in this case, has a closed top. The package shown in Figure 5 is generally cubic or rectanguloid in overall shape, but with the four sides thereof bowed outwardly as a consequence of its assembly being broadly similar to that described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, though, the main panels of the petal elements (4) are rectangular, with the top of the resultant package matching the core element (2). The package is closed by two matching extension flaps (20) on one pair of opposing petal elements and complementary extension flaps (22) and (24) at the distal ends of the other petal elements (4). Flap (24) is shown with an adhesive section (26) adjacent its free edge which closes the package against the upper face of flap (22).

While the package shown in Figure 5 has a closed top, the sides formed by the petal elements (4) have openings (28) extending from their respective bases. This enables the contents of the package to be visible from the side through otherwise opaque packaging material.

Preferred materials for packages and blanks according to the invention are resilient plastics materials, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) film, polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene (PE) film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. These have the advantage of resilience, and an ability to retain elastic stress. They can be transparent, frosted, translucent or opaque, and can be adapted to accept printing or other identification techniques. Additionally, and as will be appreciated from the above description, they can form plastic hinges which particularly facilitate exploitation of the invention.

While these materials are preferred, others can be used such as cartonboard and some cellulose based products.

The packages and blanks described above are given by way of example, and are susceptible to considerable variation.

It will be appreciated that many different polyhedral shapes may be formed, as open or closed packages, with different forms of access and ventilation being made available. Particularly, it will be appreciated that, with the flanges inwardly directed and using substantially solid petal elements, the package can be used to accommodate not only flowable and frangible materials, but also such materials, moist or otherwise, that require limited ventilation. This renders the packages particularly suitable for the display or presentation of cut flowers in a moist base, or growing plants. All kinds of dry items can be enclosed and/or displayed in packages according to the invention, including luxury consumer products, such as cosmetics, dried flowers and toiletry collections, and confectionery such as Easter eggs, biscuits and sweet bakery products.

Claims

1. A package derived from a planar blank comprising a core element having a periphery divided into discrete sections, and a plurality of petal elements extending radially from the core element, each peripheral section of the core element forming the base of a petal element and defining a hinged connection thereto, wherein a flange is hingedly attached at adjacent lateral sides of the petal elements along a non-linear axis, and means are provided for connecting adjacent flanges, the package being formed by the petal elements being turned in the same sense relative to the core element with adjacent flanges deforming their respective petal elements, and connecting the distal ends of the petal elements to close gaps between adjacent petal elements and preserve the deformation thereof.

2. A package according to Claim 1, wherein a flange is attached to either lateral side of each petal element.

3. A package according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the axis of the hinge attaching each flange to its respective petal element is curved.

4. A package as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the non-linear axis of the hinge attaching each flange to its respective petal element is convex relative thereto.

5. A package according to Claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-linear axis of the hinge attaching each flange to its respective petal element is concave relative thereto.

6. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein each peripheral section of the core element is linear.

7. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the petal elements comprise panels to the sides of which the flanges are attached.

8. A package according to Claim 7, wherein the panels of all the petal elements have the same dimensions.

9. A package according to Claim 7, wherein the panels of all the petal elements have different dimensions.

10. A package according to Claim 9, wherein the peripheral sections of the core element are of different lengths.

11. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein adjacent flanges are connected to one another along common edges thereof entering from adjoining ends of adjacent core element peripheral sections.

12. A package according to Claim 11, wherein the connected edges form a linear hinge.

13. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein each petal section has an extension at its distal end, the extensions being interconnecting with one another.

14. A package according to Claim 13, wherein each extension forms a flap.

15. A package according to Claim 14, wherein each flap is divergent, the interconnected flaps forming a frusto-conical end of the package opposite the core element.

16. A package as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein each extension includes a rectangular element, the interconnected flaps forming a tubular part of polygonal cross-section.