GB2553747A

GB2553747A - Improvements in and relating to cartons

Info

Publication number: GB2553747A
Application number: GB1610349.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hallam Chris
Original assignee: Concept Packaging Services Ltd
Current assignee: Concept Packaging Services Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-14
Filing date: 2016-06-14
Publication date: 2018-03-21
Also published as: GB201610349D0

Abstract

A triangular shaped fold-flat carton (2, fig. 3). The carton may comprise a base 4 with first, second and third side walls 6, 8, 10, wherein the first wall is secured to the third and second walls and the second wall is secured to the third wall, wherein fold-flat fold lines 62, 88, 64, 90 are provided on two walls. The walls may comprise an inner wall 40 extending from an outer wall 8, and a flap 44 may extend from the inner wall. The walls may comprise a first side wall which does not include fold-flat fold lines. The fold flat fold lines may be provided through the second and third side walls and may run diagonally across the outer wall, inner wall and flap of each of these walls. The flap may be connected using glue or tape. The carton may include an inner liner (98, fig. 4) comprising a triangular base (100, fig. 4) and side walls (102-106, fig. 4) wherein each wall is sandwiched between an outer side wall and inner side wall of the carton. Also claimed is a fold flat carton having three or more side walls and an inner liner.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Improvements in and relating to cartons Abstract Title: A Triangular Shaped Fold-Flat Carton (57) A triangular shaped fold-flat carton (2, fig. 3). The carton may comprise a base 4 with first, second and third side walls 6, 8, 10, wherein the first wall is secured to the third and second walls and the second wall is secured to the third wall, wherein fold-flat fold lines 62, 88, 64, 90 are provided on two walls. The walls may comprise an inner wall 40 extending from an outer wall 8, and a flap 44 may extend from the inner wall. The walls may comprise a first side wall which does not include fold-flat fold lines. The fold flat fold lines may be provided through the second and third side walls and may run diagonally across the outer wall, inner wall and flap of each of these walls. The flap may be connected using glue or tape. The carton may include an inner liner (98, fig. 4) comprising a triangular base (100, fig. 4) and side walls (102-106, fig. 4) wherein each wall is sandwiched between an outer side wall and inner side wall of the carton. Also claimed is a fold flat carton having three or more side walls and an inner liner.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Improvements in and Relating to Cartons

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cartons.

Background to the Invention

The demands of the packaging industry are growing for innovative, robust cartons that can be transported with increased efficiency.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a triangular-shaped fold-flat carton.

Suitably, the carton comprises a base, a first side wall construction, a second side wall construction and a third side wall construction, in which the first side wall construction is secured to the second side wall construction and to the third side wall construction, and the second side wall construction is also connected to the third side wall construction; wherein fold flat fold lines are provided through two side wall constructions to enable the carton to adopt a fold-flat configuration.

Suitably, each side wall construction comprises an outer side wall, from which extends an inner side wall. Suitably, a flap extends from each inner side wall on a distal edge thereof. Suitably, the first side wall construction does not include fold flat fold lines. Suitably, two fold flat fold lines are provided through each of the second and third side wall constructions. Suitably, each fold flat fold line runs diagonally across the outer side wall, inner side wall and flap, if present, of each of the second and third side wall constructions.

Suitably, a connecting flap extending from an end of an outer side wall connects each outer side wall to each adjacent outer side wall. Suitably, the connecting flap is glued to an adjacent outer wall. Alternatively, the connecting flap is connected to an adjacent outer wall by an adhesive tape.

Suitably, the carton is combined with an inner liner, the inner liner comprising a triangular base from each edge of which extends a side wall wherein in a fully constructed state each side wall of the liner is sandwiched between an outer side wall and an inner side wall of each side of the carton. Suitably, the inner liner comprises a material that is thicker than the carton material. Suitably, the inner line r comprises a material that is more rigid than the carton material.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a fold flat carton having three or more side wall constructions in combination with an inner liner.

The most common carton constructions have four side wall constructions, but the principles of the present invention can be applied to cartons with any number of side walls.

Suitably, the carton comprises a base, a first side wall construction, a second side wall construction, a third side wall construction and a fourth side wall construction, in which the first side wall construction is secured to the second side wall construction and to the fourth side wall construction, the second side wall construction additionally secured to the third side wall construction and the third side wall construction is secured to the fourth side wall construction; wherein fold flat fold lines are provided through side wall constructions to enable the carton to adopt a fold-flat configuration.

Suitably, each side wall construction comprises an outer side wall, from which extends an inner side wall. Suitably, a flap extends from each inner side wall on a distal edge thereof. Suitably, the first side wall construction does not include fold flat fold lines. Suitably, two fold flat fold lines are provided through each of the second side wall construction and another side wall construction. Suitably, each fold flat fold line runs diagonally across the outer side wall, inner side wall and flap, if present, of each of the second and third side wall constructions.

Suitably, the carton is combined with an inner liner, the inner liner comprising a base of a corresponding shape to the base of the carton from each edge of which base extends a side wall wherein in a fully constructed state each side wall of the liner is sandwiched between an outer side wall and an inner side wall of each side of the carton. Suitably, the inner liner comprises a material that is thicker than the carton material. Suitably, the inner liner comprises a material that is more rigid than the carton material.

Suitably, the inner side wall comprises a tongue for interengagement with a corresponding slot on the side wall of the liner.

The term “fold-flat” used in this specification refers to a carton in which the sides can be folded over to lie against a base of a carton, though in practice the sides may lie slightly away from the base if no force is applied in the fold-flat state due to the resilience of the material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for a carton according to an embodiment the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the partly assembled carton using the blank of Figure 1 in a fold-flat configuration.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fully assembled carton.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a liner for use in combination with the carton shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the partly assembled carton using the blank of Figure 1 in a fold-flat configuration.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fully assembled carton.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a liner for use in combination with the carton shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank for a liner for use with the blank of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a carton assembled from the blank and liner of Figures 10 and 11.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a blank 2 for a triangular fold-flat carton according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The blank 2 is constructed from carton board typically of a thickness of 300 - 500 micron card.

The blank 2 comprises a triangular-shaped base 4. In this case the base 4 is an isosceles triangle, but that need not be the case.

From the base 4 extend three outer side walls 6, 8, 10, separated from the base 4 by fold lines 12, 14, 16, respectively.

From outer side wall 6 extends an inner side wall 18, separated from outer side wall 6 by a fold line 20. Inner side wall 18 is frusto-triangularly shaped.

From the distal (relative to the base 4) end of the inner side wall 18 extends a flap 22 separated from the inner side wall 18 by a fold line 24.

From each end of inner side wall 18 extend a triangular extension piece 26, separated from the inner side wall 18 by a fold line 28. The triangular extension piece 26 extends the inner side wall 18 to approximate the combined shape to a rectangle.

From each triangular extension piece 26 extends a flap 30, separated from the triangular extension piece 26 by a fold line 32.

From each end of the flap 22 extends an extension flap 34, also connected to triangular extension piece 26, separated from each by fold lines 36, 38 respectively.

From outer side wall 8 extends an inner side wall 40, separated from outer side wall 8 by a fold line 42.

From inner side wall 40 extends a flap 44, separated from inner side wall 40 by a fold line 46.

From either end of outer side wall 8 extends a connecting flap 48, separated from outer side wall 8 by a fold line 50.

From each end of inner side wall 40 extend a triangular extension piece 52, separated from the inner side wall 40 by a fold line 54. The triangular extension piece 52 extends the inner side wall 40 to approximate the combined shape to a rectangle.

From each end of the flap 44 extends an extension flap 56, also connected to triangular extension piece 52, separated from each by fold lines 58, 60 respectively.

Additionally, through outer side wall 8, inner side wall 40 and flap 44 extend fold flat fold lines 62, 64 that extend diagonally across the outer side wall 8, inner side wall 40 and flap 44.

From outer side wall 10 extends an inner side wall 66, separated from outer side wall 8 by a fold line 68.

From inner side wall 66 extends a flap 70, separated from inner side wall 66 by a fold line 72.

From one end of outer side wall 10 extends a connecting flap 74, separated from outer side wall 10 by a fold line 76.

From each end of inner side wall 66 extend a triangular extension piece 78, separated from the inner side wall 66 by a fold line 80. The triangular extension piece 78 extends the inner side wall 66 to approximate the combined shape to a rectangle.

From each end of the flap 70 extends an extension flap 82, also connected to triangular extension piece 78, separated from each by fold lines 84, 86 respectively.

Additionally, through outer side wall 10, inner side wall 66 and flap 70 extend fold flat fold lines 88, 90 that extend diagonally across the outer side wall 10, inner side wall 66 and flap 70.

Components 6 and 18-38 provide a first side wall construction 92. Components 8 and 40-64 provide a second side wall construction 94. Components 10 and 66-90 provide a third side wall construction 96.

The blank 2 is first assembled into a state suitable to be transported in a fold flat configuration and ready for assembly. In theory, the carton blank described above and shown in Figure 1 can be simply assembled, but in that case the alignment of the corners and edges is likely to be significantly variable even when comparing cartons assembled from identical blanks. Accordingly, according to the present invention, the side wall constructions 92, 94, 96 are secured to each other. Specifically each connecting flap 48, 74 is secured to the adjacent respective outer side wall to form a corner construction. The connecting flaps can be glued or secured using adhesive tape, or using any other suitable method. The carton blank can then be folded using fold flat fold lines 62, 64, 88, 90 and fold 12 for the carton to be in a fold flat configuration as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 is shown without reference numerals for clarity.

The carton in the fold flat can then be assembled into a fully constructed state by unfolding the fold flat fold lines 62, 64, 88, 90 and fold 12, and then forming the triangular carton with upright side wall constructions.

The fully constructed carton is shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an inner liner 98 for use with the carton blank 2 described in relation to Figures 1-3.

The inner liner 98 is formed from a thicker and more rigid material, usually card, than the carton. Typically, the inner liner will have a thickness of 1000 - 2000 microns.

The inner liner comprises a triangular base 100 from which extends three, one from each edge of the base 100, rectangular side walls 102, 104, 106, separated from the base 100 by fold lines 108, 110, 112 respectively.

The inner liner 98 can be used with the base 100 of the liner 98 placed on the base 4 of the carton and then each side wall construction of the carton is folded over a side wall of the inner liner 98. The side walls 102, 104, 106 are thereby sandwiched between outer and inner side walls of the carton. This can provide the carton with additional strength. If needs be the folds 20, 42 and 68 of the carton can be made wide to accommodate the thickness of the inner liner 98.

When assembled the carton with the liner is essentially similar in appearance to the carton shown in Figure 3, except that the visible base will be the base 100 of the inner liner 98.

Referring to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a carton blank 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The blank 200 comprises a rectangular, in this case square, base 202.

From the base 202 extend four outer side walls 204, 206, 208, 210, separated from the base 202 by fold lines 212,214, 216, 218, respectively.

From outer side wall 204 extends an inner side wall 220, separated from outer side wall 204 by a fold line 222.

From the distal (relative to the base 202) end of the inner side wall 220 extends a flap 224 separated from the inner side wall 220 by a fold line 226.

From either end of inner side wall 220 extends a flap 228, separated from the inner side wall 220 by a fold line 230.

The opposing side wall construction, extending from fold 216 is the same as that described above for the construction extending from fold 212 so will not be described here.

From outer side wall 206 extends an inner side wall 232, separated from outer side wall 206 by a fold line 232.

From inner side wall 232 extends a flap 236, separated from inner side wall 232 by a fold line 238.

From either end of outer side wall 206 extends a connecting flap 240, separated from outer side wall 206 by a fold line 242.

Additionally, through outer side wall 206, inner side wall 232 and flap 236 extend fold flat fold lines 246, 248 that extend diagonally across the outer side wall 206, inner side wall 232 and flap 236.

Components 204 and 220-230 provide a first side wall construction 244. Components 206 and 232-242 provide a second side wall construction 246. The components extending from fold 216, provide a third side wall construction 248, which is opposite the first side wall construction 244. The components extending from fold 218, provide a fourth side wall construction 250, which is opposite the second side wall construction 246.

To assemble the blank 200 into a fold flat configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting flaps 240 and the corresponding flaps on the fourth side wall construction 250 are secured to the respective adjacent outer side walls. The carton is then folded along the fold flat fold lines in the second and fourth side wall constructions 246, 250, respectively, and folded on folds 212, 216 resulting in the fold flat configuration shown in

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals are omitted from Figure 6 for clarity.

From the fold flat configuration, the carton can be fully assembled into the configuration of the made up carton shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a an inner liner 252 with a square base 254 from which extend, from each edge of the base 254 a rectangular side wall 256, 258, 260, 262, respectively, separated from the base 254 by folds 264, 266, 268, 270, respectively.

The inner liner 252 can be used in a similar manner to the inner liner 98 of the first embodiment.

Referring to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a blank 300 for a triangular fold-flat carton according to an embodiment of the present invention. The blank 300 is similar to that shown and described in relation to Figure 1, so a detailed description will not be provided. The blank 300 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the flaps 22, 44, 70 are not present and the inner side wall 18, 40, 66 is truncated but includes a tongue 302, 304, 306.

Referring to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an insert liner 308 for use with the blank of Figure 9. The insert 308 comprises a triangular base 310, from each edge of which extend rectangular side walls 312, 314, 316, separated from the base 310 by fold lines 318, 320, 322, respectively. Additionally, each side wall 312, 314, 316 has a slot 324, 326, 328 therein for receiving the tongue 302, 304, 306 of the blank 300. As part of the assembly of the carton, that otherwise is similar to that shown in Figure 3 (with an insert as Figure 4), the tongue 302, 304, 306 is inserted into the corresponding slot 324, 326, 328, respectively.

Referring to Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a carton 400 assembled from the blank 300 and liner 308.

Although components 4 and 202 are referred to as a base, the carton need not only be used as a box or tray with the base 4, 202 down. The carton can be used with the base 4 or 202, for instance, at the top as a lid or otherwise.

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.

1406 17

Claims

CLAIMS:

5 1. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton.
2. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 1, in which the carton comprises a base, a first side wall construction, a second side wall construction and a third side wall construction, in which the first side wall construction is secured to the second side

10 wall construction and to the third side wall construction, and the second side wall construction is also connected to the third side wall construction; wherein fold flat fold lines are provided through two side wall constructions to enable the carton to adopt a fold-flat configuration.
3. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 2, in which each side wall

15 construction comprises an outer side wall, from which extends an inner side wall.
4. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 3, in which a flap extends from each inner side wall on a distal edge thereof.

20 5. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 2 - 4, in which the first side wall construction does not include fold flat fold lines.

6. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 2 - 5, in which two fold flat fold lines are provided through each of the second and third side wall

25 constructions.

7. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 2 - 6, in which each fold flat fold line runs diagonally across the outer side wall, inner side wall and flap, if present, of each ofthe second and third sidewall constructions.

8. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 2 - 7, in which a connecting flap extending from an end of an outer side wall connects each outer side wall to each adjacent outer side wall.

9. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 8, in which the connecting flap is glued to an adjacent outer wall.

1406 17

10. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 8, in which the connecting 5 flap is connected to an adjacent outer wall by an adhesive tape.

11. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 2 -10, in which the carton is combined with an inner liner, the inner liner comprising a triangular base from each edge of which extends a side wall wherein in a fully constructed state each side wall of

10 the liner is sandwiched between an outer side wall and an inner side wall of each side of the carton.

12. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 11, in which the inner liner comprises a material that is thicker than the carton material.

13. A triangular-shaped fold-flat carton according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the inner liner comprises a material that is more rigid than the carton material.

14. A fold flat carton having three or more side wall constructions in combination with 20 an inner liner.

15. A fold-flat carton according to claim 14, in which the carton comprises a base, a first side wall construction, a second side wall construction, a third side wall construction and a fourth side wall construction, in which the first side wall construction is secured to the second

25 side wall construction and to the fourth side wall construction, the second side wall construction additionally secured to the third side wall construction and the third side wall construction is secured to the fourth side wall construction; wherein fold flat fold lines are provided through side wall constructions to enable the carton to adopt a fold-flat configuration.

30 16. A fold-flat carton according to claim 15, in which each side wall construction comprises an outer side wall, from which extends an inner side wall.

17. A fold-flat carton according to claim 16, in which a flap extends from each inner side wall on a distal edge thereof.

18. A fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 15 - 17, in which the first side wall construction does not include fold flat fold lines.

1406 17
5 19. A fold-flat carton according to claim 18, in which two fold flat fold lines are provided through each of the second side wall construction and another side wall construction.

20. A fold-flat carton according to claim 18 or claim 19, in which each fold flat fold line runs diagonally across the outer side wall, inner side wall and flap, if present, of each of the
10 second and third side wall constructions.

21. A fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 15-20, in which a connecting flap extending from an end of an outer side wall connects each outer side wall to each adjacent outer side wall.

22. A fold-flat carton according to claim 21, in which the connecting flap is glued to an adjacent outer wall.

23. A fold-flat carton according to claim 21, in which the connecting flap is connected 20 to an adjacent outer wall by an adhesive tape.

24. A fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 15-23, in which the carton is combined with an inner liner, the inner liner comprising a base of a corresponding shape to the base of the carton from each edge of which base extends a side wall wherein in a fully

25 constructed state each side wall of the liner is sandwiched between an outer side wall and an inner side wall of each side of the carton.

25. A fold-flat carton according to claim 24, in which the inner liner comprises a material that is thicker than the carton material.

26. A fold-flat carton according to claim 24 or claim 25, in which the inner liner comprises a material that is more rigid than the carton material.

27. A fold-flat carton according to any one of claims 24 - 26, in which the inner side wall comprises a tongue for interengagement with a corresponding slot on the side wall of the liner.

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GB 1610349.1

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