JP2001225830A - Portable and stackable leakproof container formed from blank material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container whose shape can be changed so as to be easily used by a method wherein a handle is not provided for the container, thereby providing a flat top part to the container, or a handle is provided for the container to hold it. SOLUTION: The container 100 is formed from a blank material. The container 100 is particularly suitable for preserving foods containing liquid foods. The container 100 is versatile in that it can be assembled so as to have a handle. The container 100 can also be assembled so that the handle thereof can be retracted, thereby making the container stackable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container particularly suitable for storing foods, including liquid foods. The container is versatile in that it can be assembled with a handle to hold it. It is also possible to assemble the container such that the handle of the container is retracted so that the container is suitable for stacking.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional commercial containers are usually constructed of a rectangular box with a lid that fits easily on the top. Such boxes often need to be firmly secured using additional means, such as elastic bands or tape, to prevent the lid from easily detaching.

[0003] Other conventional containers, even without the use of a separate lid, are closed by a tab that is pushed into a slot or mated with another tab. Such containers may have handles when manufactured. This assists the user in holding the container, but is undesirable, for example, when one or more containers are used and the user wants to put them in a container bag. Alternatively, such containers have a flat top without handles, which is difficult to hold unless placed in a container bag.

[0004] Further, conventional containers for holding food products are:
Food is not leaked. Therefore, such containers are useful in holding dried foods such as pastries, but foods with gravy, especially soups,
Not suitable for holding foods with liquids.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to change from providing a user with a handle for holding a container to removing the handle and instead providing a flat top for the container, and vice versa. The object is to provide a container that is flexible and easy to use in that changes can be made. The former configuration facilitates the holding of individual containers, while the latter configuration allows the containers to be stacked with similar containers or other items. It is another object of the present invention to provide a container that can be securely held in a closed position without the need for additional securing means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container that is leak-proof and can therefore hold food containing liquid. This container can be used not only as a container for baking the food in a microwave oven or the like, but also for keeping the food in a refrigerator. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a container meeting the above advantages, which is manufactured and supplied as a single element, thus saving costs.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a base panel and a collapsible side flap foldably adjacent to the periphery of the base panel to completely surround the base panel. A container having a panel, at least one lid panel used to form a lid for the container, and at least one handle panel used to form a handle for the container, wherein the collapsible flap The panels are folded upon fabrication of the container to fold adjacent side panels together and fold adjacent side panels together, wherein the or each handle panel is foldably adjacent to a corresponding side panel; Or can be folded into the lid panel along the edge opposite the side panel where the lid panel is joined And adjacent the upright configuration capable of grasping the handle panel, the handle panel can be folded in between the closely overlapping retracted form the lid.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a blank material for making a container.

The present invention will be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying drawings. The drawings relate to preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0010]

Referring to FIG. 3, a blank 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base panel 2,
It has side panels 3a, 3b and 6a, 6b, and foldable flaps (corner panels) 5a to 5d. Further, the lid includes lid panels 7a and 7b, handle panels 8a and 8b, and engagement panels 9a and 9
Made of b.

The base panel 2 of this embodiment is rectangular. Side panels 6a and 6b extend outward along the length of the base panel 2, and other side panels 3a and 3b extend outward along the width of the base panel 2.
Each side panel extends from each edge of the base panel 2. The adjacent side panels 3b, 6b, 6b,
3a, and 3a, 6a, and 6a, 3b are foldable flaps 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5 respectively.
a further adjoin each other. Each foldable flap has a fold line to facilitate folding of the foldable flaps 5a-5d.

The lid panels 7a, 7b preferably extend from the upper edges of the two side panels 6a, 6b. Further, the handle panels 8a, 8b are provided with lid panels 7a, 7b.
Extending from. Each of the handle panels 8a and 8b has a handle slot 10a and 10b cut out. In addition, one handle slot 10a has a handle tab 13 that extends slightly into the handle slot 10a. When the container 100 is formed in the flat top position, the handle tab 13 is used to hold the opposite lid panel 7b.
Into the handle tab slot 14 cut out.

The handle panel 8a also has a lid tab 11 cut out from the handle panel 8a. The lid tab 11 is inserted into a lid tab slot 12 cut out of the opposite lid panel 12 when the container 100 is formed with a handle.

Further, at each outer edge of each handle panel 8a, 8b there is a pair of mating tabs 15a, 15b and 15c, 15d. These mating tabs 15
ad are plugged into mating slots 9a, 9b on mating panels 4a, 4b when container 100 is configured to have a handle.

The mating panels 4a, 4b not only engage the handles to form a rigid handle (FIG. 2), but also the side panels 3a, 3b of the container 100 to which the handle panels 8a, 8b are not directly connected. This is particularly important in the portable form of the container 100 because the form in which the handle load is transmitted to the container 100 is also formed. This latter aspect of the functionality of this example embodiment distributes the handle load along the two vertical axes of the container, thus preventing the lid panels 7a, 7b from opening when the container 100 is carried by the handle. Help in doing

Finally, fold lines 17a and 17d are formed toward the side edges of the lid panels 7a and 7b. Therefore, a seal panel 17 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, these seal panels 17 are used to abut the side panels 6a, 6b or the mating panels 4a, 4b to form a leaktight container.

The assembly of the container 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, starting from the blank 1 shown in FIG. 3, will now be described.

Side panels 3a, 3b and 6a, 6b
Are folded upward into a vertical position. Foldable flaps 5a-5d are folded outward along fold lines 16a-16d. Foldable flaps 5a-5d
Is then overlaid on the side panels 3a, b,
It is firmly fixed to the side panels 3a, 3b by an adhesive means or any other means so as to form a plane substantially flush with the surface of the side panels 3a, 3b. The figure shows a foldable flap 5a, folded outside the container 100.
Although 5d is shown, these flaps can also be folded and glued inside the container 100. Next, the container 10
Zero bases and sides are formed. Side panel 3
When formed, the lower portions of a, 3b and 6a, 6b are preferably tapered to an angle greater than 90 degrees (in FIG. 1, a is lower for side panels 3a, 3b).
Shown as ⁰ ).

If a container 100 with a flat top, with the handle retracted as shown in FIG. 1, is desired, first the interlocking panels 4a, 4b are folded inside the container 100 inside. Lid panel 7b and handle panel 8b (each handle tab slot 1
4 and a lid tab slot 12) are folded inward and the folded interlocking panels 4a, 4b
(Not shown).

The next step is to move the lid panel 7a and the handle panel 8a (with lid tabs 11 and handle tabs 13 respectively) as shown in FIG.
This is to fold the other lid panel 7b and the handle panel 8b so as to overlap with each other. To secure the container 100, the lid tab 11 is inserted into the lid tab slot 12 as the lid panel 7b and handle tab 8b are lowered. Next, handle tab 13
Is inserted into the handle tab slot 14 to complete the assembly.

To reopen the container from the flat top configuration described above, the handle tab 13 is lifted from the handle tab slot 14 and the lid tab 11 is lifted from the lid tab slot 12 and thus the lid panel 7
a, 7b and the handle panels 8a, 8b are released.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a different configuration in which the handle of the container 100 is not retracted,
a, 4b are not folded and remain almost vertical. In this case, the lid panel 7a, the handle panel 8a, the corresponding lid panel 7b and the handle panel 8b are folded inward, and the engagement tabs 15a to 15d are inserted into the corresponding engagement slots 9a, 9b. When folded, the lid panels 7a, 7b are in a horizontal position, whereas the handle panels 8a, 8b are in a substantially vertical position. Corresponding handle slots 10a, 10b are positioned adjacent one another such that a single handle slot is formed.

More specifically, when the handle panels 8a, 8b are sufficiently lowered, the engaging panels 4a, 4b are folded inward, so that the corners of the handle panels 8a, 8b are engaged with the engaging slots 9.
a, 9b. Engagement slots 9a, 9b
Panel 4a, 4b so that the top of the panel can be located inside the engagement tabs 15a, 15b.
b is folded inward at an angle of about 45 degrees. The edges of the lid panels 7a, 7b are simultaneously folded along the fold lines 17a-17d so as to prevent the interlocking panels 4a, 4b from being folded.
Folds up along. Next, the handle panels 8a, 8b are lifted slightly upward, the top of the engagement slot 9a engages the bottom of the engagement tab 15a, and the top of the engagement slot 9b engages the bottom of the engagement tab pair 15b, 15d. The assembly is completed.

To reopen the container 100 of FIG. 2, the handle panel is pushed downward and the engagement panel 4
a, 4b are released from the engagement tabs 15a-15d, thereby enabling the engagement panels 4a, 4b to pivot outward. When the engagement panels 4a, 4b are at a substantially vertical position, the lid panels 7a, 7b and the handle panels 8a, 8b are released, and these panels can be opened.

The container 100 is preferably made of a material such as paperboard, cardboard, thin plastic, etc., which is relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and has some elasticity. However, any other suitable material can be used. Container 10
O may have various combinations of materials, for example, it may be formed as a laminate to improve thermal insulation. Preferably, the material should be a food grade material so that the container can store the food. In addition, by using appropriate materials, the container 100 can be used as a cookware suitable for baking the food stored in the container in a microwave oven or in an oven.

Some other modifications of the above-described container will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in the above embodiment, the base panel is shown as being rectangular,
Other shapes can be configured. For example, the base panel may be another polygon, such as a square or octagon (FIG. 4), and it may be envisioned that the base panel be substantially elliptical or circular. In this case, the container has a two-piece structure. Also, to increase the volume of the container 100, the side panels 3a, 3b and 6a, 6b can be significantly deeper with the foldable flaps 5a-5d.

Thus, several variations are possible in the present invention that provide a container that is easy to close and has a configuration with a handle or can have a flat top with the handle retracted. . The container, in either form, can also be securely held in the closed position without the need for additional securing means. Further, the container can be stacked with similar containers or other items without the weight of opening or crushing the container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the container is assembled with a flat top.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 assembled with the handle having a handle.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a cutout or blank shape of the material from which the container is made.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a cutout or blank shape of the material from which the container is made.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 blank 2 base panel 3a, 3b, 6a, 6b side panel 4a, 4b, 9a, 9b engaging panel 5a, 5b foldable flap 7a, 7b lid panel 8a, 8b handle panel 10a, 10b handle slot 11 lid 12 tab slot 13 Handle Tab 14 Handle Tab Slot 15a-15d Engagement Tab 16a-16d, 17a-17d Fold Line 100 Container

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A base panel, a foldable side flap panel foldably adjacent to a periphery of the base panel to completely surround the base panel, and used to form a lid for a container. At least one
A container having two lid panels and at least one handle panel used to form a handle for the container, wherein the foldable flap panel folds adjacent side panels adjacent to each other; Folded during fabrication of the container to bring adjacent side panels together, wherein the or each handle panel is foldably adjacent to a corresponding side panel or at an edge facing the side panel to which a lid panel is joined. A container that is foldable adjacent to the lid panel along and along which the handle panel can be gripped, between an upright configuration and a retracted configuration in which the handle panel fits over the lid. 2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lid tab located on the or each lid panel and insertable into a lid tab slot to hold the lid in a closed position. 3. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a handle tab slot arranged in the retracted configuration of the handle to receive a handle tab located on the handle. 4. At least one interlocking panel foldably attached to the side panel to engage the or each handle in an upright handle configuration.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The container according to claim 1, comprising at least one sealing panel located on said or each panel so as to abut an adjacent panel to form a seal. 6. The base panel is polygonal, at least first and second handle panels are provided to form a lid for the container, and the collapsible flap panel is polygonal. A fold line located at a corner of the base and each extending from a respective corner of the polygonal base panel so that the or each foldable flap panel can be folded during fabrication of the container; The polygonal base panel has at least four edges including opposing first edge pairs where each opposing side panel is foldably adjacent, and the first and second opposing lid panels each include: At the edge of each side panel facing the base, it is foldably adjacent to the facing side panel. Are disposed so as to abut each other and are held to form the lid during fabrication of the container, wherein the or each handle panel folds into a corresponding lid panel along an edge facing the side panel. 6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is adjacent as possible. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein a lid tab slot is located on a junction between said second opposite lid panel and said corresponding side panel. 8. A lid on the first opposite lid panel to engage a slot on the second opposite lid panel or a second handle panel adjacent to the second opposite lid panel. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the tab is located. 9. A first handle panel adjacent to said first opposed lid panel includes a handle tab, and wherein said second opposed lid panel includes said handle tab in said retracted configuration of said handle. 7. A container according to claim 6, comprising a handle tab slot for receiving a. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the or each handle panel forms a fully enclosed hole along the inner edge where the handle tab is located. 11. The system further comprising at least one interlocking panel used to lock the or each handle in the upright configuration, wherein the polygonal base panel has an opposing second pair of edges, and Opposing first and second pairs of edges are disposed perpendicular to each other, and the or each interlocking panel is each foldably adjacent to a side panel extending from the second base panel edge pair; 7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a mating slot for inserting at least a corner of the handle. 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the or each handle panel has at least one slot extending from a free edge of the handle to engage the corresponding mating slot. 13. The container according to claim 6, comprising two opposite handle panels abutting in the manufactured container. 14. The container of claim 6, wherein the first and second opposed lid panels are sized to collectively cover the base panel in the manufactured container. 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein the base panel is square, rectangular,
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the container is octagonal. 16. The container of claim 6, wherein said side panel has an angle with respect to said base panel of greater than 90 degrees. 17. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made from a single blank material. 18. A blank used to form a container according to any one of claims 1 to 17.