GB2411642A

GB2411642A - Collapsible cartons

Info

Publication number: GB2411642A
Application number: GB0504021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Bingley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-05
Filing date: 2005-02-28
Publication date: 2005-09-07
Also published as: GB0504021D0

Abstract

Compartments 114, 116 and 118 are defined which, if not suspended from above by the handle 122 collapse around parallel folds at each side. Each compartment can be made relatively rigid by inserting a container to abut with, for instance, the side walls 128 and 130 of a compartment 124 to prevent those side walls from moving relative to each other. The container may comprise a plant pot in which the tray of the plant pot rests on the base 124 of the lower compartment 118 and with the flowers projecting up into the remainder of compartment 118. The compartments 114,116,118 may be formed from respective blanks or by folding a single blank (Figs 1 and 2).

Description

1 2411 642 Collapsible cartons The present invention relates to

collapsible cartons, and particularly, but not exclusively, to cartons for carrying trays of plants, fruit or food.

There are many situations in which trays of goods cannot be stacked directly on top of one another. For example, delicate goods such as trays of plants cannot be stacked on one another without causing damage. Similarly trays of meat cannot be stacked on top of one another for fear of causing cross contamination.

Collapsible cartons are well known. Once the cartons have been erected, goods are placed into the cartons from the top. When transporting certain goods, such as trays of plants, only one layer can be placed in the carton and thus the quantity of goods that can be carried is limited.

Existing cartons are therefore not suitable for the carrying of stacked trays.

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible carton transformable between a collapsed configuration and an erect configuration, the carton including a plurality of compartments, each compartment defining a base, a top and two opposed sides and having at least one open side, the base of each compartment forming a shelf onto which articles, in use, are placed from the open side.

Preferably there are two opposed open sides.

Preferably at least two of said compartments are arranged one above the other to form a stack, the top of each lower compartment forming at least part of the base of the compartment above. The carton may comprise a plurality of stacks and at least one side of one stack may comprise a side of an adjacent stack.

In the collapsed configuration opposed sides of at least one compartment and/or opposed tops and bases of at least one compartment may overlap each other over at least part of their extent.

The carton may move from the collapsed to the erect configuration by pivoting about upper and lower portions in the region of the junction between the opposed sides and the base and top.

Preferably the carton has carrying means. The carrying means may be finger holes in a top of the carton.

Alternatively the carrying means may be a handle attached to a top or, alternatively or additionally, a side or sides of the carton.

The top (or side) of one compartment and the base (or side) of an upper (or adjacent) compartment may be defined by a single layer or two layers, one from the top (or one side) and one from the base (or other side). When defined by two layers those layers may be connected by a fold which may be a fold between the two layers. Successive compartments may be defined by two layers connected by a fold with that fold being at one end of one compartment and that fold being at the other end of the next compartment.

The carton may be constructed from at least one blank.

The carton is advantageously constructed from a single blank. Portions of the at least one blank may be secured to each other by suitable means such as glue, staples, tape or interlocking tabs and slots. Each compartment may be constructed from one blank. The individual compartments may be secured to each other by suitable means such as glue, staples or tape.

The carton may be made of cardboard, which is preferably corrugated. Alternatively the carton may be made of plastic, which is preferably corrugated.

The shelves may be perforated.

The carton may have a sleeve extending around a top wall, base and two opposed side walls formed by the compartments. The sleeve may have one or two openings through which the handle extends. The sleeve may have two openings aligned with finger holes.

Preferably the container is held in the erect condition by means of a rigid container placed on a shelf. The rigid container may be a tray. The container may occupy part of the volume in the compartment such as the lower region of the compartment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a collapsible carton as herein referred to includes at least one container in at least one compartment holding that compartment in the erect configuration.

Preferably there are a plurality of containers each in separate compartments and each holding their compartments in the erect configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for forming a carton as described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a plant carrier including a carton as herein referred to.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of erecting a carton as described above in which, when a tray is inserted into a compartment in the erect configuration, it exerts a force on the side walls of the compartment to restrain the compartment from moving to the collapsed position.

Trays may be inserted into one or more compartments.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a view of one side of a blank used to form the carton of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded front perspective view of the carton of Figure 1; s Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention, and Figure 6 is a flat blank of a further embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a carton 2 having a top wall 4, base 6 and side walls 8 and 10. The carton also includes two shelves 12 which together with the walls 4, 6, 8 and 10 form three compartments 14, 16 and 18, each for receiving a tray 20 of goods. The base 6 forms a third shelf. Each tray 20 is placed on a respective shelf 6,12. The width w of each tray 20 is substantially the same as that of the inner width of the compartments 14, 16, 18. Two finger holes 22 are formed in the top of the carton 2 to enable the carton 2 to be easily carried.

The carton 2 is flat when not in use for ease of storage and transport. In use the carton 2 is erected and one or more trays 20, for example containing plants, fruit, meats or plate products, are inserted into one or more respective compartments 14, 16, 18. Alternatively shoes could be stored in the compartments. As a consequence of the trays 20 or articles being the same width w as the compartments 14, 16, 18 or bearing against the side walls of the compartments they impart rigidity to the carton when in use. Insertion of only one tray 20 is sufficient to keep the carton 2 in an erected condition. When plants are in the tray they can extend upwards from the tray towards the top wall without damage. Furthermore; when the carton is being carried by means of the finger holes 22 in the top wall 4, the side walls 8, 10 of the carton will tend to grip the tray 20 and thus hold it firmly in position. The tray 20 is thus securely held in the carton 2 when the carton 2 is being carried, but can be easily inserted or removed when the carton 2 is not being carried.

Figure 2 shows a one piece blank 24 which is used to make the carton 2 of Figure 1. The blank 24 is divided into sections A through J separated by fold lines, illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 2. The blank 24 is formed from cardboard or plastic and has corrugations extending in the direction of the arrow to impart strength to the carton 2 when under loaded conditions.

As can be seen more clearly in Figure 3, the blank 24, is folded about the fold lines and then is held in the required position by means of glue, staples, tape or other well known techniques where the sections overlap. The first compartment 14 has a base H. top wall J and side walls I and part of C. The second compartment has a base F. top wall H and side walls G and part of A. The third compartment has base D, top wall F and side walls E and part of C. In a second embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 4, each compartment 114, 116 and 118 is manufactured from a separate blank. Each compartment has a base 124, top wall 126 and side walls 128 and 130. The individually produced compartments 114, 116 and 118 are then stacked and held together by means of glue or another known technique. The top compartment 114 in the stack is provided with a handle 122 for easy of carrying.

Any number of compartments can be held together to make a carton. In Figure 5 a carton 202 is shown having two adjacent stacks, each containing three compartments 214, 216, 218 and 234, 236, 238. The compartments are glued together and tape 226 is applied around the carton 202 for added security and also to form a handle 222.

Figure 6 is a flat blank 300. All of the folds are valley folds with the exception of the folds 302 and 304 which are mountain folds. The top row of panels 306, 308, 310 and 312 are connected to the remaining panels only by the fold 302. The top row are each folded through 90 about folds 307, 309 and 311 such that they define an open ended enclosure. They are held in place by an end strip 314 co extensive with the panel 306 being folded over and glued to the upper or lower side of the free edge of the panel 312.

The second row of panels 316, 318, 320 and 322 are folded and secured in the same manner as is the third row 324, 326, 328 and 330.

Then the top enclosure is moved through 180 about the fold 302 such that the underside (when viewed in the drawing) of panels 306 and 316 abut each other. The bottom enclosure is then moved through 180 about the fold 304 such that the underside of the panels 320 and 328 abut each other. The three enclosures are then alongside each other with the through openings being parallel.

Whilst Figure 6 shows three enclosures being formed, by repeating the pattern of cuts and folds with further series of panels below those shown any number of parallel enclosures can be provided. Abutting panels may be glued to each other or otherwise fastened, if desired. The enclosures may be arranged side-by-side on top of each other. Alternatively or additionally adjacent tabs 332 may be tucked in to lock with adjacent slots 334. The completed unit can be carried by holes 336 in the top panel or openings 338 in the upper side panels.

Various modifications may be made without parting from the scope of the present invention. For example, perforations may be made through the shelves of the carton to aid drainage and/or ventilation. A sleeve may be placed around the external walls of the carton for decorative purposes.

Any of the cartons referred to herein may be moved to a collapsed position by pivoting or folding the cartons almost through 90 about the junctions between the side walls and the top and bases.

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

1. A collapsible carton transformable between a collapsed configuration and an erect configuration, the carton including a plurality of compartments, each compartment defining a base, a top and two opposed sides and having at least one open side, the base of each compartment forming a shelf onto which articles, in use, are placed from the open side.

2. A carton as claimed in Claim 1 in which there are two opposed open sides in at least one of the compartments.

3. A carton as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which at least two of the compartments are arranged one above the other to form a stack.

4. A carton as claimed in Claim 3 in which the top of each lower compartment forms at least part of the base of the compartment above.

5. A carton as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 comprising a plurality of stacks.

6. A carton as claimed in Claim 5 in which at least one side of one stack comprises a side of an adjacent stack.

7. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim in which, in the collapsed configuration, opposed sides of at least one compartment overlap each other over at least part of their extent.

8. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim in which, in the collapsed configuration, opposed tops and bases of at least one compartment overlap each other over at least part of their extent. s

9. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim arranged to move from the collapsed to the erect configuration by pivoting about upper and lower portions in the region of the junction between opposed sides and the base and top of the carton.

10. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim including carrying means.

11. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim in which the top of one compartment and the base of an adjacent upper compartment are defined by a single layer.

12. A carton as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 in which the top of one compartment and the base of an upper compartment are defined by two layers, one from the lower compartment and one from the upper compartment.

13. A carton as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12 in which the side of one compartment and the side of an adjacent compartment are defined by a single layer.

14. A carton as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 in which the side of one compartment and the side of an adjacent compartment are defined by two layers, one from one side and the other from the other side.

15. A carton as claimed in Claim 12 or 14 in which the two layers are connected by a fold.

16. A carton as claimed in Claim 15 in which the fold is between the two layers.

17. A carton as claimed in Claim 16 in which successive compartments that include the two layers are connected by a fold with that fold being at one end of one compartment and with that fold being at the other end of the next compartment.

18. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim constructed from at least one blank.

19. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim constructed from a single blank.

20. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a corrugated carton.

21. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim of paper or cardboard.

22. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim in which part of at least one compartment is perforated.

23. A carton as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one compartment is arranged, in use, to be held in the erect condition by means of an article, for instance a container, being placed in the compartment.

24. A carton as claimed in Claim 23 in which the article is arranged to occupy only part of the volume in the compartment.

25. A carton as claimed in Claim 24 in which the article is arranged to occupy the lower region of a compartment.

26. A collapsible carton transformable between a collapsed configuration and an erect configuration substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 or Figure 4 or Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A collapsible carton as claimed in any preceding claim including at least one article in at least one compartment holding that compartment in the erect configuration.

28. A carton as claimed in Claim 27 including a plurality of items each in separate compartments and each holding their compartments in the erect configuration.

29. A blank arranged to be configured to form a collapsible carton as claimed in any preceding claim.

30. A blank for forming a collapsible carton transformable between a collapsed configuration and an erect configuration substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of Figures 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of using a collapsible carton transformable between a collapsed configuration and an erect configuration comprising moving the carton from the collapsed to the erect configuration such that the carton includes a plurality of compartments, each compartment defining a base, a top and two opposed sides and placing at least one article into at least one compartment with the base of the compartment forming a shelf for the article.

32. A method as claimed in Claim 31 comprising causing the article to hold the compartment in the erect position.

33. A method of using a collapsible carton substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of Figures 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6.

34. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 33 when using a carton as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 30.