GB2577181A

GB2577181A - A sheet construction for folding into a triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich

Info

Publication number: GB2577181A
Application number: GB1912946.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerardo Fasano Giuseppe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-11
Filing date: 2019-09-06
Publication date: 2020-03-18
Also published as: GB201912946D0

Abstract

A sheet construction (42) for folding into a triangular container (figure 2, 26) for at least one triangular sandwich, comprising a container portion (4) and a closure portion (10) for closing the container portion, the closure portion comprising a cut-out portion (49) for receiving a transparent sheet material that forms a window (14) on the hypotenuse side of the container. The closure portion further includes first and second triangular side parts (22, 32) integrally formed with the container portion, which are able to be printed on, and the container portion further includes first and second rectangular parts (53, 57). Fastener flaps (28, 30, 46, 48) are provided for connecting to parts of the container portion when the construction is folded into the triangular container and are able to be stuck into position with an adhesive.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Giuseppe Gerardo Fasano

Roden Street, Holloway, London, N7 6QL, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

B65D5/20 (2006.01)

B65D5/42 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2574322 A GB 2360999 A

GB 2345902 A CN 201665335 U (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B65D

Other: WPI, EPODOC (72) Inventor(s):

Giuseppe Gerardo Fasano (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Graham Jones & Company

Beaconsfield Road, Blackheath, LONDON, SE3 7LG, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A sheet construction for folding into a triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich

Abstract Title: Sheet construction for triangular container (57) A sheet construction (42) for folding into a triangular container (figure 2, 26) for at least one triangular sandwich, comprising a container portion (4) and a closure portion (10) for closing the container portion, the closure portion comprising a cut-out portion (49) for receiving a transparent sheet material that forms a window (14) on the hypotenuse side ofthe container. The closure portion further includes first and second triangular side parts (22, 32) integrally formed with the container portion, which are able to be printed on, and the container portion further includes first and second rectangular parts (53, 57). Fastener flaps (28, 30, 46, 48) are provided for connecting to parts of the container portion when the construction is folded into the triangular container and are able to be stuck into position with an adhesive.

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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A SHEET CONSTRUCTION FOR

FOLDING INTO A TRIANGULAR CONTAINER FOR

RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE TRIANGULAR SANDWICH

This invention relates to a sheet construction and, more especially, this invention relates to a sheet construction for folding into a triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich.

Sheet constructions are known which fold into a triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich. The triangular container has a closure portion with a window which allows an end consumer to look at the sandwich or sandwiches in the container prior to purchasing. The known sheet constructions are made from cardboard and a cut-out portion is required to be cut-out in order to create the window. The closure portion has a first side and a second side, with the window therebetween. A first problem with the known constructions are such that only one of the first and second sides is easily able to be printed on. The other side is not easily printed on due to insufficient printing space caused by the basic shape of the sheet constructions and the subsequently required construction of the triangular container. A second problem with the known constructions is that difficulty can occur in removing sandwiches from the triangular container. Often the result is a squashed sandwich and/or a sandwich filling being forced out of the sandwich and causing mess on the fingers of the person trying to obtain the sandwich.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a sheet construction for folding into a triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich, which sheet construction comprises:

(i) a container portion which is made from a support material and which is for assembling into the triangular container such that the container portion forms two sides of the triangular container, with the two sides defining a right angle; and (ii) a closure portion for closing the container portion, and wherein:

(iii) the closure portion comprises a cut-out portion for receiving transparent sheet material such that the transparent sheet material forms a window on the hypotenuse side of the triangular container;

(iv) the closure portion comprises a first side part which extends from a first side of the cut-out portion and which forms a first side of the closure portion;

(v) the closure portion comprises a second side part which extends from a second and opposite side of the cut-out portion and which forms a second side of the closure portion;

(vi) the first and second side parts of the closure portion are integrally formed with the container portion, whereby the first and second side parts of the closure portion are formed of the support material and whereby the support material of the first and second side parts is able to be printed on;

(vii) the container portion has a first rectangular part which extends along a first side of the first side part; and (viii) the container portion has a second rectangular part.

The sheet construction of the present invention is firstly advantageous in that it modifies the design of a known triangular container in such a way that it is possible to obtain more printing space on the side of the triangular container which is currently insufficient to receive the required printing. The increased printing space may be advantageous for receiving one or more of information regarding a manufacturer, advertising material, nutritional material, and use instructions. The sheet construction is secondly advantageous in that the sandwiches are easily able to be obtained from the container portion, and the sandwiches do not become squashed and the filling of the sandwiches forced out as often occurs when obtaining sandwiches from the known triangular container.

The sheet construction of the present invention may be employed in any required size for folding into a triangular container of any required size for receiving one or more diagonally cut sandwiches. Thus the triangular container may contain, for example, one, two, three, four or more triangular sandwiches.

The sheet construction may be one in which the second rectangular part of the container portion extends along a second side of the first side part.

Alternatively, the sheet construction may be one in which the second rectangular part of the container portion extends from the first rectangular part.

The sheet construction may be one in which the closure portion is such that the cut-out portion is a central rectangular cut-out portion, the first side part is a first triangular side part, and the second side part is a second triangular side part. One or more of these triangles and rectangle may alternatively be in other shapes, and in any combination of shapes.

The sheet construction may include fastener flaps for connecting to parts of the container portion where the sheet construction is folded into the triangular container, and thereby enabling the triangular container to retain its shape when containing the sandwich for display and sale. The fastener flaps may be provided with an adhesive so that the fastener flaps are able to be stuck in position. Fastener means other than adhesives may be employed so that, for example, the fastener flaps may be such that they locate in slots. Where an adhesive is employed, then the adhesive will typically be one that is in current use on known triangular containers for sandwiches, and which has been approved for use in conjunction with food.

The support material is preferably cardboard. The support material may alternatively be a plastics material made from an environmentally sustainable material such as vegetable material. A preferred such plastics material is known as polylactic acid (PLA). Other support materials may be employed.

The sheet construction may include the transparent sheet material. The transparent sheet material with its central window enables the sandwich clearly to be seen in the formed triangular container. This is advantageous for a purchaser, who is then able to make a good inspection of a choice of sandwiches from a display of sandwiches for sale.

The transparent sheet material may be secured to the support material such that the transparent sheet material extends only over the peripheral defining part of the closure portion that defines the cut-out portion. The transparent sheet material may alternatively be secured to the closure portion such that the transparent sheet material extends over the entire inner face of the closure portion or over the entire sheet construction. The transparent sheet material may be secured in position, for example, by an adhesive or by heat. The transparent sheet material may be the transparent sheet material that is currently employed for known packets of sandwiches. Alternatively, other types of transparent sheet material may be employed.

The present invention also extends to a triangular container when produced from a sheet construction according to the present invention. The triangular container may be such that it is empty or such that it contains the sandwich.

The present invention also extends to a die for cutting and folding a sheet construction of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich, with the known triangular container being shown part-way through being folded into the required triangular container;

Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 but shows a triangular container of the present invention and able to be produced using a sheet construction of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a sheet construction in flat form and prior to being folded to the shape shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view from the front and one side of the sheet construction shown in Figure 3 and partially folded to form the triangular container of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a view from the rear and the other side of the folded sheet construction as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 4 but shows the sheet construction having been further folded;

Figure 7 is a view like Figure 6 but shows the sheet construction fully folded into the triangular container;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a second sheet construction of the present invention in its flat form and prior to being folded into a triangular container of the present invention;

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Figure 9 is a plan view of a third sheet construction of the present invention and prior to being folded into a triangular container of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a fourth sheet construction according to the present invention and prior to being folded into a triangular container of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a plan view of a fifth sheet construction of the present invention and prior to being folded into a triangular container of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a sixth sheet construction of the present invention and prior to being folded into a triangular container of the present invention;

Figure 13 shows the sheet construction of Figure 12 having been partially folded into a triangular container of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a view like Figure 13 but shows further folding of the sheet construction of Figure 12 in order to form the completed triangular container; and

Figure 15 is a view from one side in the rear of the triangular container shown in Figure 14.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a known triangular container 2 having a container portion 4 which is made from cardboard and which has been folded into the shape shown. The container portion 4 forms two sides 6, 8 of the triangular container 2, with the two sides 6, 8 defining a right angle as shown. As shown in Figure 1, the side 8 forms a base for the container portion

4. The side 6 upstands from the base 8 and forms a rear wall.

The triangular container 2 also comprises a closure portion which is for closing the container portion 4 and which is in the form of a lid 10. A pack of triangular sandwiches 12 is provided in the container portion 4 as shown. When the lid 10 is closed, the sandwiches 12 are viewable through a window 14 in the lid 10.

The triangular container 2 is such that there are two triangular side wall portions 16, 18 which are apart when the sheet construction for forming the triangular 2 is flat and in a pre-folded condition. The triangular side wall portions 16, 18 are joined by gluing a flap (not shown) on the side wall portion 16 to a flap (not shown) on the side wall portion 18. This causes the container portion 4 to have a completed triangular side wall 20. This triangular side wall 20 is spaced apart from and opposite to another triangular side wall 22 on the opposite side of the container portion 4.

The lid 10 has a flap 24. The flap 24 is secured in position by an adhesive, against the triangular side wall 20. This occurs after the container portion 4 has been provided with the pack of triangular sandwiches 12, and it is then desired to close the triangular container 2. The triangular container 2 with its sandwich pack is then able to be transported to a shelf for display and purchase by an end user.

The triangular container 2 is such that, when the flap 24 is secured to the side wall 20, a first problem is that the flap 24 overlaps a large proportion of the triangular side wall 20. This means that the triangular side wall 20 has insufficient viewable space for the triangular side wall 20 to receive a required amount of printing. Similarly, the outside surface of the flap 24 is itself not sufficiently large to receive a required amount of printing. This means that the triangular container 2 has a triangular side wall 20 which is unavailable for receiving printing as would typically be required. Only the triangular side wall 22 is available for this printing. The loss of printing space on the triangular side wall 20 is disadvantageous in that there is often insufficient space for information, for example giving details of one or more of the manufacturer, advertising material, and nutrient information on the filling of the sandwiches.

The triangular container 2 is also such that the pack of triangular sandwiches 12 is securely held in the container portion 4. The two triangular side walls 20, 22 are of the same shape and size as the triangular sandwiches 12. This may cause a user difficulty in removing one or more of the sandwiches 12 from the container portion 4. As the user forces their fingers between the sandwiches, the sandwiches may get squashed and/or the filling of the sandwiches may get forced out of the sandwiches and over the fingers of the user.

Figure 2 shows a triangular container 26 which is of the present invention. Similar parts as in the triangular container 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

It will be seen that the triangular container 26 has two strip side wall portions 28, 20 instead of the triangular side wall portions 16, 18. Also, the triangular container 26 has a triangular side part 32 which is larger than the strip-type side part 24 of the triangular container 2. When the lid 10 is folded over, the triangular side part 32 has its inner peripheral surface 34 along the edges 36, 38 adhered to the outer surface of the strip side wall portions 28, 30. This means that the entire outer surface 40 of the triangular side part 32 is available for receiving printed information. The triangular side part 32 is basically the same size as the triangular side wall 20, and thus the triangular container 26 of the present invention is able to receive approximately twice the amount of printed material available for the known triangular container 2. The printing may be, for example, one or more of information regarding the manufacturer, information regarding the seller, advertising material, nutrient information on the filling 54, and a best use date.

From a comparison of Figures 1 and 2, it will be appreciated that the triangular container 26 is also advantageous over the triangular container 2 in that, when the triangular container 26 is opened to the position shown in Figure 2, the triangular side part 32 is released and the lid 10 fully opens up. All that is required is that the adhesive strip members 50, 52 are peeled back to release the triangular side part 32. In the fully opened condition of the triangular container 26 shown in Figure 2, the sandwiches 12 are still retained in the container portion 4 but they are not enclosed by the triangular side part 32 forming a triangular side wall. The sandwiches 12 are simply enclosed by the strip side wall portions 28, 30 on one side, and by the triangular side wall 22 on the other side. This means that the sandwiches 12 are easily able to be taken out of the container portion 4 of the triangular container 26. The sandwiches 12 are easily separated from each other. A user does not have to squash the sandwiches 12 in order to get them out of the container portion 4. This in turn means that the user does not get messy fingers whilst obtaining the sandwiches 12 from the container portion 4, and also the sandwiches 4 are less likely to be squashed such that the filling 54 contained between two slices of bread 56, 58 is forced out from between the slices of bread 56, 58. Depending upon the actual filling 54, it will be appreciated that some filings 54 are more soft and messy than other fillings 54, and some fillings 54 are in smaller pieces than other fillings 54 and thus more easily fall out from between the slices of bread 56, 58.

Figure 3 shows a sheet construction 42 for folding into the triangular container 26 shown in Figure 2. Similar parts as in Figure 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. As shown in Figure 3, the sheet construction 42 is such that the side 6 has a strip side wall portion 44 in addition to the strip side wall portion 28. The lid 10 has strip side wall portions 46, 48.

From Figure 3, it will be seen that the closure portion in the form of the lid 10 comprises a cut-out portion 49 for receiving transparent sheet material such that the transparent sheet material forms the central window 14 on the hypotenuse side of the triangular container 26. The lid 10 comprises a first side part in the form of the triangular side wall 22. This triangular side wall 22 extends from a first side 51 of the cut-out portion 49, and it forms a first side of the lid 10. The lid 10 also comprises the second side part 32 which extends from a second and opposite side 61 of the cut-out portion 49, and which forms a second side ofthe lid 10. The first and second side parts 22, 32 ofthe lid 10 are integrally formed with the container portion 4. Thus the first and second side parts 22, 32 of the lid 10 are formed of the support material, and the support material of the first and second side parts 22, 32 is able to be printed on as discussed above.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the container portion 4 has a first rectangular part 53 which extends along a first side 55 of the first side part 22. The container portion 4 also has a second rectangular part 57. In Figure 3, the second rectangular part 57 of the container portion 4 is shown as extending along a second side 59 of the first side part 22. In alternative constructions, the second rectangular part of the container portion 4 may extend from the first rectangular part 53.

The closure portion in the form of the lid 10 is such that the cut-out portion 49 is a central rectangular cut-out portion 49, the first side part 22 is a first triangular side part 22, and the second side part 32 is a second triangular side part 32.

The sheet construction 42 has the fastener flaps 28, 30, 46, 48 for connecting to parts of the container portion 4 when the sheet construction 42 is folded into the triangular container 26, and thereby enabling the triangular container to retain its shape when containing the sandwich 12 for display and sale.

Figures 4 and 5 show the sheet construction 42 partially folded into the triangular container 26. Figure 4 is a view from the front and one side. Figure 5 is a view from the rear and the other side.

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 4 but shows the sheet construction 42 further folded towards forming the triangular container 26. Figure 7 is a view like Figure 6 but shows the sheet construction 42 fully folded to form the triangular container 26. In the fully folded condition shown in Figure 7, the triangular side part 32 of the lid 10 is held in position by adhesive strip members

50, 52.

Figure 8 shows a second sheet construction 60 of the present invention. Figure 9 shows a third sheet construction 62 of the present invention. Figure 10 shows a fourth sheet construction 64. Figure 11 shows a fifth sheet construction 66 of the present invention. Figure 12 shows a sixth sheet construction 67 of the present invention, Figure 13 shows the sheet construction of Figure 12 partially folded, Figure 14 is a view from the front and one side of the sheet construction of Figure 12 fully folded to form a triangular container of the present invention, and Figure 15 is a view from the rear and one side of the triangular container shown in Figure 14. In the sheet constructions 60, 62, 64, 66 and 67 similar parts as in the sheet construction 42 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

The sheet construction 60 shown in Figure 8 is such that the part forming the side 6 has a flap member 68, and the part forming the side 8 has flap members 70, 72 and 74.

The sheet construction 62 shown in Figure 9 is such that the part forming the side 6 has flap members 76, 78, 80, and the part forming the side 8 has a flap member 82. The parts forming the sides 6, 8 also have side members 84, 86 which are integrally formed together as shown.

The sheet construction 64 shown in Figure 10 is such that the part forming the side member 6 has a flap member 88, and the part forming the side 8 has a flap member 90. The flap members 6, 8 also have the integrally formed flap members 84, 86 of the sheet construction 62. The part forming the side 8 further has a flap member 92 which is integrally formed with a flap member 94 extending from the triangular side wall 22 as shown.

The sheet construction 66 shown in Figure 11 is such that the part forming the side 8 has flap members 96, 98. The parts forming the sides 6, 8 have flap members 100, 102 respectively, with these flap members 100, 102 being formed together as shown. The part forming the side 8 also has a flap member 104.

All of the sheet constructions 60, 62, 64, 66 are able to be folded into triangular containers which are like the triangular container 26 and which offer the advantages of the triangular container 26.

The sheet construction 67 shown in Figure 12 is also able to be folded into a triangular container which is like the triangular container 26 and which offers the advantages of the triangular container 26. From a comparison of the sheet construction 42 shown in Figure 3 and the sheet construction 67 shown in Figure 12, it will be seen that the triangular flap 32 shown in Figure 3 has had its apex removed and replaced by a concave formation 104. Also, the shape of the strip side wall portions 28 and 30 shown in Figure 3 have been altered in shape to the side wall portions 106, 108 respectively. The side wall portion 106 is provided with a strip of adhesive tape 110. The side wall portion 108 is provided with a strip of adhesive tape 112.

Figure 13 shows the sixth sheet construction 67 having been partially folded into the required triangular container 114 shown in Figure 14 and 15. In Figure 13, the operative position of the side wall portions 106, 108 and their strips of adhesive tape 110,112 are shown. Figure 14 is a view like Figure 13 but shows the triangular flap 32 having been bent fully over to form the triangular container 114. The concave formation 104 is thus shown forming a gripping recess 116. Figures 14 and 15 show how the triangular container 114 has a longitudinally extending pull tab 118 which extends from the triangular flap 32 and beyond the side 6 of the triangular container 114. In order to open the triangular container 114, a person may place their thumb or finger of one hand in the gripping recess 116 in order to securely hold the triangular container 114. The person may then pull the pull tab 118 towards them in order to open the triangular container 114 and enable access to sandwiches (not shown) within the triangular container 114. This pulling opening movement of the pull tab 118 is illustrated by the arrow 120. In the closed position of the triangular container 114 as shown in Figure 14 and 15, it will be appreciated that the strips of adhesive tape 110,112 secure the triangular flap 32 along the two lengths of the strips of adhesive tape 110, 112. This helps to reduce the ingress of air into the closed triangular container 67, and this in turn helps to keep sandwiches in the triangular container 67 fresher for a longer period of time.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the various illustrated sheet constructions ofthe present invention may be made of different grades of cardboard as may be required. Typically the sheet constructions of the present invention will be made of the same type of cardboard as existing known sheet constructions for producing known triangular containers. Alternatively, the sheet constructions of the present invention may be made of environmentally sustainable materials such for example as polylactic acid. Fastener means other than adhesive fastener means may be employed. The illustrated triangular and rectangular parts ofthe sheet constructions may be of other shapes. The other shapes may be defined by straight lines or by edges of non-straight formations. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.

Claims

1. A sheet construction for folding into a triangular container for receiving at least one triangular sandwich, which sheet construction comprises:

2. A sheet construction according to claim 1 in which the second rectangular part of the container portion extends along a second side of the first side part.

3. A sheet construction according to claim 1 in which the second rectangular part of the container portion extends from the first rectangular part.

4. A sheet construction according to any one of the preceding claims in which the closure portion is such that the cut-out portion is a central rectangular cut-out portion, the first side part is a first triangular side part, and the second side part is a second triangular side part.

5. A sheet construction, according to any one of the preceding claims and including fastener flaps for connecting to parts of the container portion when the sheet construction is folded into the triangular container, and thereby enabling the triangular container to retain its shape when containing the sandwich for display and sale.

6. A sheet construction according to claim 5 in which the fastener flaps are provided with an adhesive so that the fastener flaps are able to be stuck in position.

7. A sheet construction according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support material is cardboard.

8. A sheet construction according to any one of the preceding claims and including the transparent sheet material.

9. A triangular container when produced from a sheet construction according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A triangular container according to claim 9 and including the sandwich.

11. A die for cutting and folding the sheet construction according to any one of claims 1-7.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1912946.9 Examiner: Joseph Webster