GB2338475A

GB2338475A - A packaging container

Info

Publication number: GB2338475A
Application number: GB9914148A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andre Philip Wilkins; David Jordan; David Boulton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-20
Filing date: 1999-06-18
Publication date: 1999-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-18
Also published as: GB9813300D0; GB9914148D0; GB2338475B

Abstract

A packaging containers 10 folded from a blank of sheet material has a bottom wall foldably connected to a pair of opposed side walls 14,16 and opposed front and rear walls 18,20, an open top 21 defined by the upper edges of said opposed side walls 14,16 and said front and rear walls, and a closure lid assembly 36 for closing the open top of the container, each side wall being formed from an internal side wall panel directly foldably connected to said bottom wall and a pair of overlying corner side wall panels 42,43, each comer side wall panel 42,43 being formed from a folded gusset panel foldably located between the side wall panel and a respective one of the front or rear wall panels, each corner side wall panel 42,43 having an upper edge which is substantially equal in length to the length of the upper edge of the side wall panel. The container may have a first internal flap connected to the upper edge of each of the side wall panels 14,16, and a second internal flap connected to one of the upper edges of the folded gusset panel. The container may be used in a microwave to heat up food.

Description

2338475 A PACKAGING CONTAINER The present invention relates to a

container, in particular but not exclusively, a packaging container in which food can be contained and heated prior to consumption.

More particularly, the invention relates to a food packaging container in which food may be stored, say in a frozen condition, and then heated say in a microwave oven prior to consumption.

io According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container formed from a blank of sheet material; the blank being folded to define a container having a bottom wall foldably connected along its peripheral edges to lower edges of a pair of opposed side walls and opposed front and rear walls, an open top defined by the upper edges is of said opposed side walls and said front and rear walls, and a closure lid assembly for closing the open top of the container, each side wall being formed from an internal side wall panel directly foldably connected to said bottom wall and a pair of overlying corner side wall panels, each corner side wall panel being formed from a folded gusset panel foldably located between the side wall panel and a respective one of the front or rear wall panels, each corner side wall panel having an upper edge which is substantially equal in length to the length of the upper edge of the side wall panel.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a food packaging container according to a first embodilnent of the invention; Figure 2 is a part sectional view taken along line H-H in Figure 1; 1 Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank for forming the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the erected container formed from the blank of Figure 3 and shown in its open condition; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

io Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a food packaging container 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The container 10 includes container body 11 defined by a bottom wall 12; a pair of opposed side walls 14, 16; a front wall 18; and a rear wall 20.

The container body 11 has an open top 21 through which contents to be contained in the container 10 may be inserted or removed.

The container 10 further includes a closure assembly 30 capable of closing the open top 21 for retention of the contents within the container 10 as required for example for storage or transportation of the filled container.

The closure assembly 30 as illustrated in Figure 1 preferably comprises a pair of internal flaps 32, 33 extending inwardly from each side wall 14, 16; an internal flap 34 extending from the front wall 18; and an external flap extending from the rear wall 20, the external flap defining a closure lid 36 for the container 10.

2 P referably, as illustrated in Figure 3, the contairier 10 is erected from a single blank 100 formed from a single sheet of suitable material.

Each side wall 14, 16 is preferably formed from a main side wall panel 40 (Figures 1 and 2) and a pair of overlying corner side wall panels 42, 43 of generally triangular shape. Each corner side wall panel 42, 43 and main side wall panel 40 preferably have upper edges of substantially the same length.

io Each corner side wall panel 42 is formed from a gusset panel 55 integrally connected by fold-lines 44, 45 inbetween front wall forming panel 46 and a respective main side wall forming panel 40. Similarly each corner side wall panel 43 is formed from a gusset panel 55 integrally connected by fold-lines 48, 49 inbetween rear wall forming panel 50 and a respective main side wall forming panel 40.

Each gusset panel 55 is divided by a central fold-line 56.

The blank 100 includes fold-lines 60, 61, 62 and 63 which integrally 20 connect the front wall forming panel 46, rear wall forming panel 50 and main side wall forming panels 40 to a bottom wall forming panel 70.

Erection of the container 10 is achieved by folding panels 46, 50 and both panels 40 inwardly toward one another about fold-lines 60, 61, 62, 63 respectively whilst folding the gusset panels 55 outwardly about foldlines 44, 45; 48, 49 and central fold-lines 56.

Preferably opposed inner faces 58, 59 of each folded gusset panel 55 are sealed together in face to face contact after the folding operation. Sealing 3 is preferably achieved using a suitable non-toxic adhesive, such as a hotmelt adhesive which is preferably applied across the width of the folded gusset panel 55. Each folded gusset panel 55 now constitutes a corner side wall panel 42 or 43. The extent of the coverage of the adhesive is preferably chosen so as to prevent fluids or particulate contaminants from passing into or out of the container.

To form each side wall 14, 16 the respective corner side wall panels 42 and 43 are folded about the now overlying fold-lines 44, 45 and 48, 49 to io overlie the main side wall panel 40 as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Preferably opposed faces of side wall panels 43 and 40 are secured together by a suitable non-toxic adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive. Also, the opposed faces of side wall panels 42 and 43 and the opposed faces of side wall panels 42 and 40 are secured together by a suitable adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive.

The extent of the area covered by the adhesive for securing panels 40, 42 and 43 to one another is preferably chosen to provide a sealed barrier to prevent ingress of containments into the container.

Preferably the sheet material chosen for forming the blank 100 is a card capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for heating of the container contents (either in a conventional oven or a microwave oven) and which is preferably transparent to microwaves and is coated on at least one of its faces with a suitable moisture resistant covering such as a suitable plastics material. Preferably the plastics material is degradable so as to render the container fully recyclable.

4 The adhesive chosen for sealing of the inner faces 58, 59 of the folded gusset panel 55 and for securing the wall panels 40, 42 and 43 together is chosen to maintain sealing contact at elevated temperatures to which the container is exposed for heating of the contents.

Each side wall 14, 16 has a length d, along its upper edge. Preferably each gusset 55 is formed such that the upper edge of each corner side wall panel 42, 43 has a length d2which is substantially equal to dj.

io Preferably one of the gusset panels 55 associated with each side wall is provided with a flap forming panel 71 connected thereto by a fold-line 72. Each flap forming panel 71 after erection of the container 10 forms an internal flap 32.

is Preferably the flap forming panel 71 is connected to the outermost layer 42a of panel 42. In this way the flap 32 overlies the upper gaps 35 defined between the layers of card forming panels 40, 42 and 43 and so help prevent ingress of containments.

Preferably a flap forming panel 74 is connected to each side wall fo i g panel 40 by a fold-line 75; each flap forming panel 74 in the erected container 10 forming flap 33.

Since the side wall panel 40 is located internally of the corner side wall panels 42, 43, flap 33 underlies flap 32.

Preferably each flap 33 extends toward one another such that their inner edges lie adjacent to or overlap one another. In this way the opposed flaps 33 combine to cover the open top 21 for a major portion or completely.

Internal flap 34 is connected to the wall 18 by fold-line 80 and is preferably of the same shape and size as the open top 21. The flap 34 in the erected container 10 overlies internal flaps 32, 33.

s If desired, opposed faces of flaps 32 and flap 34 may be secured together by a suitable adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive. This may be in the form of a continuous glue line so as to provide an effective fluid seal along each flap 32.

lo Advantageously, one or both of flaps 33 may be adapted to have a removal portion 88. This may be achieved by the provision of a tear line 89 in the form of a line of perforations. Removal portion 88 may carry or be printed with promotional information and is shielded by flap 32, viz. it cannot be visibly seen until flap 34 has been raised and is not affected by the glue line (if provided) inbetween flaps 32 and 34.

The lid 36 is folded to overlie the flap 34 and is preferably secured to the flap 34 by a suitable adhesive 76 such as a hot-melt adhesive. Preferably the sheet material and adhesive 76 are chosen to encourage delamination of the sheet material when raising the lid 36 from flap 34 for opening of the container 10.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4 the adhesive 76 is preferably applied in the form of an elongate strip 76a which preferably is located adjacent to the fold-line 80 so as to underlie the front edge of the lid 36. Optionally additional areas 76b of glue are applied.

1 6 1, As seen in Figure 5 the adhesive 76 may be applied in the form of a continuous strip 76c which in the erected and closed container 10 extends along both side and front edges of the lid 36.

An alternative form of closure is illustrated in Figure 6.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, lid 36 is connected to front wall 18 by a fold-line defined by a series of perforations 85 and internal flap 34 is connected to the rear wall 20.

Lid 36 is secured in face to face contact with internal flap 34 by a suitable adhesive, such as hot-melt adhesive.

To open the container of Figure 6, the lid 36 is separated from front wall 18 by tearing along the fold-line defined by perforations 85. In this embodiment, lid 36 and flap 34 remain secured in face to face contact after opening of the container. Conveniently, to facilitate separation, a thumb recess 85a is defined by the line of perforations.

The container 10 of the present invention has several advantages.

Since each side wall 14, 16 is in effect formed from five layers of sheet material, each side wall 14, 16 is relatively rigid and provides rigidity to the container. In addition, the five layers of material thermally insulate the side walls 14, 16 and so if food contained in the container is heated, say in a microwave, the insulated side walls 14, 16 thermally shield the hot contents and so facilitate handling of the container by an operative.

7 It will be appreciated that the side walls 14, 16 are constructed so as to be sealed against passage of fluids. Accordingly the contents may be or have a fluid content and may be stored and transported in a fluid state.

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Claims

1. A packaging container formed from a blank of sheet material; the blank being folded to define a container having a bottom wall foldably connected along its peripheral edges to lower edges of a pair of opposed side walls and opposed front and rear walls, an open top defined by the upper edges of said opposed side walls and said front and rear walls, and a closure lid assembly for closing the open top of the container, each side wall being formed from an internal side wall panel directly foldably io connected to said bottom wall and a pair of overlying corner side wall panels, each corner side wall panel being formed from a folded gusset panel foldably located between the side wall panel and a respective one of the front or rear wall panels, each corner side wall panel having an upper edge which is substantially equal in length to the length of the upper edge of the side wall panel.

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein the opposed internal faces of the folded gusset panel forming each corner side wall are sealed in face to face contact.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein for each side wall, the opposed overlying faces of the side wall panel and pair of overlying corner side wall panels are secured in face to face contact.

2s

4. A container according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the closure lid assembly includes a first internal flap foldably connected to the upper edge of each of said side wall panels.

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5. A container according to Claim 4 wherein said first internal flaps extend toward one another such that their terminal edges are located adjacent to one another or overlap one another so that, collectively, said first internal flaps cover substantially the entire open top of the container.

6. A container according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein one or both of said first internal flaps has a detachable portion which preferably carries information, such as printed information.

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7. A container according to Claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the closure lid assembly includes a second internal flap foldably connected to one of the upper edges of the folded gusset forming each of said corner side wall panels, each of said second internal flaps extending inwardly of the container to overlie the upper edge of a respective one of said side wall 15 panels and said first internal flap connected thereto.

8. A container according to Claim 7 wherein each of said second internal flaps is foldably connected to the outermost layer of sheet material forming the side wall.

9. A container according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein the first and second internal flaps are scaled in face to face contact.

10. A container according to any of Claims 4 to 9 wherein the closure lid assembly includes an internal lid panel foldably connected to the upper edge of the front or rear wall and an external lid panel foldably connected to the upper edge of the rear or front wall respectively, the external lid panel overlying the internal lid panel and being secured in face to face contact therewith.

11. A container according to Claim 10 wherein the internal and external lid panels are secured together by an adhesive, the adhesive and sheet material being such as to encourage delamination of the sheet material when separating the internal and external lid panels for opening of the container.

12. A container according to Claim 11 wherein the external lid panel is detachably secured to its respective rear or front wall to permit opening of io the container.

13. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the sheet material is a card material capable of withstanding temperatures associated with cooking of food.

14. A container according to Clahn 13 wherein the sheet material is transparent to microwaves.

15. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and 20 as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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