IES960418A2 - Self assembly aerated container - Google Patents

Abstract

A self assembly aerated container (10) comprises an open top box (11) having a pair of inserts (16) disposed therein. The box comprises a pair of opposed side walls (12) joined by a pair of opposed end walls (13). The inserts are located, in use, adjacent a pair of opposed walls of the box. The inserts have a first height (hl) and one or more of the side walls or the end walls have a second height (h2), the first height being greater than the second height <Fig.1>.

Description

Self Assembly Aerated Container The present invention relates to a self assembly aerated container.

According to the present invention there is provided a self assembly aerated container comprising an open top box having an insert disposed therein, said insert projecting above the box.

Preferably, the container comprises a pair opposed side walls joined by a pair of opposed end walls, and a pair of inserts, said inserts being located, in use, adjacent a pair of opposed walls of said box, said inserts having a first height and one or more of said side walls or said end walls having a second height, said first height being greater than said second height.

Preferably, said inserts are located adjacent respective end walls of said box.

Preferably, each insert includes an integral support member located at each end of the insert so that, in use, each support member projects above a respective corner of the box.

Preferably, each insert comprises an oblong sheet divided by a plurality of transverse lines of weakening into a central panel and a plurality of sub-panels disposed on either side of said central panel, said sub-panels being foldable to form said integral support members.

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 26 AND RULE 23 JNL No I ZOO ορζψρκ 99041 0 Preferably, the oblong sheet is formed of double ply cardboard.

Preferably, a first aperture is defined in each end wall and a second aperture is defined in the central panel of each insert, said second apertures, in use, lying in register with respective first apertures.

The invention also provides an insert for a self assembly aerated container comprising a panel divided by a plurality of transverse lines of weakening into a plurality of sub-panels, said sub-panels being foldable to form a support member.

Preferably, the insert comprises an elongate panel divided by a plurality of transverse lines of weakening into a central panel and a plurality of sub-panels disposed on either side of said central panel, said sub-panels being foldable to form respective integral support members.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a self assembly aerated container according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an insert for the container of Figure 1 of the drawings in a completely folded state; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insert of Figure 2 in a partially folded state; and 900418 Figure 4 is a development of the insert of Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown a self assembly aerated container generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The container 10 comprises an open top box 11 formed from double ply cardboard. The box is formed from two juxtaposed side panels 12 joined by two end panels 13 in a continuous loop having a top edge 14. A line of weakening (not shown) is formed in the middle of each of the panels 12, 13 and runs parallel to the top edge 14.

The bottom surface of the box is closed by first folding the end panels 13 along the line of weakening towards the centre of the box, and then folding and fixing the side panels 12 over the end panels 13. The panels 12, 13 are then fixed to one another in a conventional manner, for example, using adhesive.

An oblong hole 15 running parallel to the top edge 14 is formed in the centre of each of the end panels 13. This allows for easier lifting of the container when loaded with, for example, fruit.

It has been found that self assembled completely open top boxes with no support to maintain the product are not suitable for transporting or displaying fruit, in particular. This is because such boxes are not strong enough to be stacked on top of one another during transport and are prone to crushing. Such boxes also provide poor aeration of the fruit because, when stacked on top of one another, only the apertures 15 allow air to pass from outside the box over the fruit. Also, fruit 960419 contained in such boxes is occluded by the panels 12, 13 of the box when displayed in a retail outlet. This is not desirable and requires the unloading of the fruit into dedicated display stands at the retail outlet. This is time consuming and more likely to damage or bruise the fruit.

In the present embodiment, the container includes a pair of inserts 16 again formed of double ply cardboard which are located within the box adjacent respective end panels 13. It will be realised that both the inserts 16 and the box 11 can be fabricated from any material which allows lines of weakening to be defined, for example, kraft cardboard, recycled board, or any other malleable but weight supporting material.

The inserts 16 are formed from an oblong sheet, Figure 4, in which a plurality of transverse lines of weakening 17 are formed to define a central panel 22 and a plurality of sub-panels 18...21 located on either side of the central panel. Each insert 16 is symmetrical about a central transverse axis A and so only one half will be described for simplicity. Beginning at the sub-panel 18 adjacent the end of the insert, each sub-panel moving toward the sub-panel 21 is slightly longer than the previous panel. This allows the sub-panels 18...21 to be folded into one another towards the central panel as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to form support pillars 23 at each end of the central panel 22.

The ratio of lengths of the sub-panels is chosen so that when the sub-panels 18...21 are completely folded, the cross-section of each support pillar 23 forms a right angled triangle. The length of the central panel 22 added to the lengths of the sub-panels 19 is chosen 960416 so that each insert 16 fits into the box 11 adjacent a respective end panel 13 with the support pillars 23 fitting into respective corners of the box. It will be seen that the inserts 16 can be fixed into position by any conventional means, such as, a cold melt adhesive.

In the preferred embodiment, only the sub-panels 19 and the central panel 22 are fixed to the end wall 13. Also, if desirable the sub-panels 23 and the side walls 12 may be adhered together.

An oblong hole 24 is formed in the centre of the central panel 22 so that when the insert 16 is in position, the hole 24 lies in register with the hole 15, so that handling of the container is not affected by the insert.

Each insert 16 is of a height h, greater than the height h2 of the side and end panels 12, 13. Thus, fruit may be loaded into the container 10 to the height h, of the inserts. Because the fruit sits proud of the top edge 14 of the box it is more visible and thus usable in a retail outlet display. The support pillars 23 also provide enhanced strength and allow more containers to be safely stacked on top of one another during transport. When stacked, there is a gap of height h,-h2 between the top edge 14 of one container and the bottom surface of another container. This allows for greater aeration of the fruit and a more aesthetic display.

It will be seen that, for each insert, the central panel 22 prevents the support pillars 23 from collapsing towards one another when containers are stacked on top 960418 of one another. Because the central panel 22 can be fixed to the end wall and also because fruit contained in the box bears against the central panel, the central panel prevents the insert 16 from collapsing towards the centre of the box.

If greater aeration is required then additional holes can be formed in the insert 16. In the present embodiment, a pair of obround holes 25 disposed on either side and running parallel to the axis A are formed in the insert 16. These holes lie in register with respective slots 26, removed from the top edge 14 of the end panels 13, when the insert 16 is located in the box 11, Figure 1.

It will seen that while the embodiment described includes two identical inserts 16, this is not necessary and if required non matching pairs of inserts can be used.

It will also be seen that the invention provides a simple to assemble aerated container. This is critical where many such containers must be assembled by unskilled workers when fruit is packed prior to being transported.

The container 10 contains less cardboard than traditional boxes, because it does not require a cover and because of the reduced height of the side and end walls 12, 13 respectively.

Fruit, such as bananas, needs to be kept cool when being transported over long distances. Then, before being transported to the point of sale, the bananas are warmed to cause the bananas to ripen sufficiently. The 960418 aeration of the container 10 means that warm or cool air can flow easily and evenly through stacked containers and across the bananas. Thus, less power is required to cool or warm the bananas contained in the containers.

In addition a more even ripening of the bananas is achieved at a lower power.

In a variation of the present embodiment, one or more tabs (not shown) can be provided on the upper and/or lower edges of the central panel 22. Tab(s) on the lower edge can be fitted into respective hole(s) or recess (es) (not shown) formed internally within the base of the box to allow the insert 16 fit positively into the box 11. The insert 16 can be glued to the box 11 via such tabs rather than across the surface of the central panel 22 and the sub-panels 19, this reduces the amount of glue required and thus reduces the overall cost of the container.

Tab(s) on the upper edge can be employed to fit into respective hole(s) or recess(es) (not shown) formed externally of the base of another box. This allows containers to be stacked on top of one another in uniform and secure fashion.

Also, the containers can be put directly on display after transport, with the fruit (bananas) in the containers displayed in a more attractive manner.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :

1. A self assembly aerated container comprising an open top box having an insert disposed therein, said insert projecting above the box.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 comprising a pair opposed side walls joined by a pair of opposed end walls, and a pair of inserts, said inserts being located, in use, adjacent a pair of opposed walls of said box, said inserts having a first height and one or more of said side walls or said end walls having a second height, said first height being greater than said second height.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said inserts are located adjacent respective end walls of said box.

4. An insert for a self assembly aerated container comprising a panel divided by a plurality of transverse lines of weakening into a plurality of sub-panels, said sub-panels being foldable to form a support member.

5. An insert as claimed in claim 4 comprising an elongate panel divided by a plurality of transverse lines of weakening into a central panel and a plurality of sub-panels disposed on either side of said central panel, said sub-panels being foldable to form respective integral support members.