NL2015206B1

NL2015206B1 - Boxes and blanks for such boxes, and methods for forming blanks and boxes.

Info

Publication number: NL2015206B1
Application number: NL2015206A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Watherus Jongmans Johannes; Petrus Melchior Nouws Johannes
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa Elcorr B V
Priority date: 2015-07-22
Filing date: 2015-07-22
Publication date: 2017-02-08

Abstract

A blank in a folded, at least partly assembled form, comprising a first, lower part and a second, upper part, wherein the upper part is connected to the lower part by at least one folding panel enclosed between a panel portion of the first part and a panel portion of the second part, the panel portion of the first part being positioned such that when a box is erected from said blank the panel portion of the second part is positioned inside the box, such that the second, upper part extends at least partly at an inside of the first, lower part.

Description

Title: Boxes and blanks for such boxes, and methods for forming blanks and boxes

The invention relates to a box suitable as a transit and storage pack and which is convertible to a display tray. The present invention further relates to a blank for manufacturing such box. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such box.

Cardboard boxes folded from a blank have long been used for storage and shipment of smaller packages, such as boxes, tubes, sachets and the like. Over recent years these boxes have been designed and used not only for storage and transport of these smaller packages, but also for display thereof, for example in stores and supermarkets. To that end normally the box can comprise a lower part and an upper part, connected to each other such that the upper part can easily be removed from the lower part, such that the smaller packages remain in the lower part in a representable order. The lower part can then be placed on a shelve or other means of display, such that the packages are ready to be grabbed by a customer. Commonly these boxes are formed of two blanks, combined and adhered to each other during or after filling. One or more tear lines can then be provided for tearing the upper part from the lower part. GB2409432B discloses such box, suitable for both storage and transport and display, in which the box is formed from a blank, which is folded and glued into a ready to erect box. The blank is formed from a single sheet of cardboard, comprising at least two elements for folding into a Z-fold configuration. These Z-fold configurations allow panels forming part of the upper part to overlap panels forming part of the lower part at least partly, so that they can be glued together or at least close the box to a significant extend. The panels of the upper part are placed at the outside over the lower part panels. In order to open the box the lower side edge of the from panel of the upper part has to be grabbed, fingers inserted between the upper and lower part panels, in order to pull the upper part up. The upper part will then be torn off by tearing the tear lines of the Z-fold elements.

The present disclosure aims at providing a box according to the introduction. The present disclosure aims at providing an alternative box suitable for both storage and transport and for display. The present disclosure aims at providing a box and blank for a box, preferably made of a single sheet of material, in which an upper part can easily be removed from a lower part, such that the lower part can be used as a display tray. The present disclosure aims at providing a box and blank for a box, preferably made of a single sheet of material, in which an upper part can easily be removed from a lower part, such that the lower part can be used as a display tray, and wherein nevertheless the box in closed and filled condition is sufficiently strong for such boxes to be stacked. The present disclosure aims at providing a box and blank for a box, preferably made of a single sheet of material, in which an upper part can easily be removed from a lower part, such that the lower part can be used as a display tray. The present disclosure aims at providing a box and blank for a box, preferably made of a single sheet of material, in which an upper part can easily be removed from a lower part, such that the lower part can be used as a display tray, wherein the display tray has an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

At least one of these and other aims and advantages can be obtained with a box according to the present disclosure.

In a first aspect a blank can be a blank in a folded, at least partly assembled form, comprising a first, lower part and a second, upper part. The upper part can be connected to the lower part by at least one folding panel enclosed between a panel portion of the first part and a panel portion of the second part. The panel portion of the first part can be positioned such that when a box is erected from said blank the panel portion of the second part is positioned inside the box, such that the second, upper part extends at least partly at an inside of the first, lower part.

In an aspect a blank can be provided, in an entirely flat state, for forming such partly pre assembled blank.

In an aspect a blank can be provided wherein a first, lower part comprises a first lower panel, a second lower panel and a third lower panel, the second and third lower panels being connected to opposite sides of the first lower panel through respective third and fourth fold lines. A second, upper part may comprise a first upper panel, a second upper panel and a third upper panel, the second and third upper panels being connected to opposite sides of the first upper panel through respective fifth and sixth fold lines. Each folding panel is preferably enclosed between two substantially parallel folding fines, between the second upper panel and second lower panel and the third upper panel and the third lower panel respectively, wherein the height of the each folding panel measured between each pair of two said folding fines can be chosen such that a lower edge of the first upper panel is substantially coinciding with a first fold fine between the first lower panel and a first bottom forming panel connected thereto, such that when a box is erected from said blank said lower edge will rest on said bottom forming panel. Additionally or alternatively a blank can comprise a first, lower part comprising a first lower panel, a second lower panel and a third lower panel, the second and third lower panels being connected to opposite sides of the first lower panel through respective third and fourth fold fines and a second, upper part comprising a first upper panel, a second upper panel and a third upper panel, the second and third upper panels being connected to opposite sides of the first upper panel through respective fifth and sixth fold fines, wherein when a box is erected from the blank a lower end of the fifth and sixth fold fines rest on upper ends of the third and fourth fold fines respectively.

In an aspect a box can have a front, two opposite sides, a rear, a top and a bottom. The front comprises at least a first upper panel adjacent the top and a first lower panel adjacent the bottom, whereas the sides comprise at least a second and third upper panel and a second and third lower panel respectively and the rear comprises at least rear panel. The first lower panel covers at least partly a lower part of the first upper panel at an outside thereof whereas the second lower panel overlaps at least part of an outside of the second upper panel and the third lower panel overlaps at least part of an outside of the third upper panel. A connecting panel is connected to the second upper and the second lower panel and folded between the overlapping parts thereof and a connecting panel is connected to the third upper and the third lower panel and folded between the overlapping parts thereof. Thus the box can be erected from a single blank, if desired.

In embodiments of a box according to this disclosure a lower edge of the first upper panel can rest on the bottom. In the same or other embodiments a lower edge of a guard panel connected to or part of the second or third upper panel can rest on the bottom. In the same or other embodiments a lower end of a rib portion of the box formed by a fold fine between the first and second upper panels can in embodiments rest on an upper end of a rib portion of the box formed by a fold line between the first and second lower panels. In embodiments the rear panel can comprise a seam, preferably formed by at least partly overlapping edge portions of two rear panels. All of these features individually or in combination can aid in strengthening the box, especially in the resistance of vertical compression and loading of the box.

In further elucidation of the present invention embodiments of the present disclosure, such as embodiments of a box and a blank shall be described hereafter, with reference to the drawings. Therein shows:

Fig. 1 schematically an embodiment of a blank;

Fig. 2 A and B schematically a box, formed from a blank of fig. 1, in closed and opened position;

Fig. 2C and D schematically boxes closed by tape;

Fig. 3 schematically a second embodiment of a blank;

Fig. 4A and B schematically a box, formed from a blank of fig. 3, in closed and opened position;

Fig. 5 schematically a third embodiment of a blank;

Fig. 6A and B schematically a box, formed from a blank of fig. 5, in closed and opened position;

Fig. 6C an open box filled with packages;

Fig. 7 A in side view part of a box;

Fig. 7B the part of the box of Fig. 7A in partial cross section.

In this description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings by way of example only. These embodiments should by no means be understood as bmiting the scope of the disclosure. At least all combinations of elements and features of the embodiments shown are also considered to have been disclosed herein. In this description the same or similar elements and features will be referred to by the same or similar reference signs.

In this description expressions of orientation such as top, bottom, vertical et cetera are used for convenience only and refer to the orientation of the box cq blank as seen in the accompanying drawings. Such expressions are not to be regarded as bmiting the disclosure, and indeed, as will be described below, boxes and blanks according to the description can be used in other orientations.

Fig. 1 shows, in flat condition, a blank 1 made of a foldable material, especially cardboard such as corrugated card board or massive card board. The blank 1 comprises a front section I, a left hand side section II, a right hand side section III and a rear section IV. A box 100 formed using a blank according to this disclosure will have a lower part L and an upper part U, easily separable from the lower part L, preferably without significantly disrupting the content of the box 100. The upper part will for example generally comprise upper panels and top forming panels of a blank, whereas the lower part L will then generally comprise lower panels and bottom forming panels of such blank. The upper part U and lower part L are at least connected to each other by at least one folding panel, at least in the blank, such that the blank can be handled as one part.

The front section I comprises a first lower panel 2 and a first bottom forming panel 3 hingedly connected to the first lower panel 2 via a first fold line 3A. The front section I further comprises a first upper panel 4 and a first top forming panel 5 connected to the first upper panel 4 through a second fold line 5A, which is substantially parallel to the first fold line 3A. The first lower 2 and upper panel 4 are separated from each other by a substantially U-shaped cut out 6 with end 7, 8.

The first upper panel 4 comprises a central mid panel section 4B which has a lower edge 4C which can be substantially parallel to the first fold line 3A and/or to an edge portion 2C of the first lower panel 2, the gap 6 extending at least between these edges 4C, 2C. The distance, measured substantially perpendicular to the fold lines 3A and/or 5A, between the two edges 4C, 2C is indicated by Dl. Two side edges 2D of the cut out 6 cq first lower panel 2 extend at an acute angle a relative to the first and/or second fold lines 3A, 5A, in opposite directions, to the ends 7, 8, complementary side edges 4D of the mid panel section 4B extending substantially parallel to said edges 2D, spaced slightly apart providing for the relevant parts of the gap 6. In the corners between the edge 2C and the respective side edges 2D corner panel portions 23, 24 can be provided.

The left and right hand sections II, III are basically mirror images of each other. These sections II, III comprise a second lower panel 9 and third lower panel 10 and a second upper panel 11 and third upper panel 12 respectively. The lower panels 9, 10 are connected to opposite sides of the first lower panel 2 through a third fold line 9A and fourth fold line 10A respectively, whereas the upper panels 11, 12 are connected to opposite sides of the first upper panel 4 through a fifth fold line 11A and sixth fold line 12A respectively, which are substantially parallel to and preferably substantially coaxial with the third and fourth fold line 9A. 10A respectively, and are in a preferred embodiment substantially straight and extend preferably substantially perpendicular to the first and second fold fines 3A, 5A. A seventh fold fine 13 and eighth fold fine 14 extend at a top edge of the second lower panel 9 and third lower panel 10 respectively, at the level of the ends 7, 8 of the cut out 6 respectively, substantially parallel to and preferably coaxial to each other. At a lower edge of the second upper panel 11 and third upper panel 12 respectively two folding panels 15A, B and 16A, B are connected to said respective panel 11, 12 through a ninth folding fine 17 and tenth folding fine 18 respectively, which again are substantially parallel to and preferably substantially coaxial to each other. These folding fines can be formed as tear fines, for example perforated, for easy separation. Additionally or alternatively the seventh and eight fold fines 13, 14 could be formed as such. The opposite edges of the folding panels 15A, B and 16A, B are connected to the lower panels 9 and 10 through the seventh fold fine 13 and eighth fold fine 14 respectively. Between the two folding flaps 15A, B and 16A, B of each section II, III respectively the relevant upper panel 11, 12 is provided with an extension 19, 20, preferably extending towards and to relatively close proximity of the seventh fold fine 13 and eighth fold fine respectively. A small cut out 21, 22 can be provided in the relevant lower panel 9, 10 directly opposite the extension 19, 20.

The second and third section II, III comprise a second and third bottom forming panel 25, 26 and a second and third top forming panel 27, 28 respectively. The second bottom forming portion 25 is connected to the lower edge of the second lower panel 9 via an eleventh fold fine 29, the second top forming panel 27 to an upper edge of the second upper panel 11 through a twelfth fold fine 30. Similarly the third bottom forming portion 26 is connected to the lower edge of the third lower panel 10 via an thirteenth fold line 31, the third top forming panel 28 to an upper edge of the third upper panel 12 through a fourteenth fold line 32.

The distance between the fold lines 13 and 17 and fold lines 14 and 18, measured substantially perpendicular to said fold lines, is indicated by D2. The distance between the fold lines 17 and 30 and fold lines 18 and 32, measured substantially perpendicular to said fold hnes, is indicated by D3.

In the embodiment of fig. 1 a rear panel 33 is connected to the left hand side second lower panel 9 through a fifteenth fold line 34, extending substantially parallel to the third fold fine 9A. A fourth bottom panel 35 is connected to the lower edge of the rear panel 33 through a sixteenth fold fine 36, a fourth top panel 37 to an upper edge of the rear panel 33 through a seventeenth fold fine 38. The sixteenth fold fine 36 is substantially parallel to and preferably substantially coaxial to the first fold line 3A. The seventeenth fold line 38 is substantially parallel to and preferably substantially coaxial to the seventh fold line 13. Hence in the blank 1 as shown in fig. 1 the fourth upper flap 37 is positioned lower than the other three upper flaps 5, 27, 28.

In the rear panel 33 at the upper edge thereof, against the seventeenth fold line 38 a break out panel part 39 can be provided, connected to the further rear panel 33 by at least one tear line 40, which can for example be a perforated line or otherwise weakened, for easy tearing or otherwise release. In the embodiment fig. 1 a cut out 41 is provided in the break out panel part 39, spaced apart from the seventeenth fold fine 38, such that at least one finger and preferably several fingers of a hand of an adult can be inserted at least partly into and preferably through said cut out 41 for grabbing the break out panel part 39. Preferably the seventeenth fold fine 38, at least between the rear panel 33 and the upper panel 37 next to the break out panel part 39, is also formed as a tear fine, for example perforated or serrated, for easy tearing. In this embodiment by way of example only two partial, curved tear lines 40 are provided, extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the cut out 41 to the seventeenth fold line 38.

In the embodiment as shown in fig. 1 at the right hand side of the third section closure flaps 42, 43 are provided. A first closure flap 42 is connected to the third lower panel 10 through a nineteenth fold line 44, parallel to the fourth fold line 10A. An second closure flap 43 is connected to the upper edge of the first closure flap 42 through a twentieth fold line 45 which extends substantially parallel to and preferably substantially coaxial to the eight fold line 14. A blank 1 of fig. 1 can be used as follows, by way of example, for forming a box of fig. 2. In fig. 1 the blank 1 is shown showing the inside of a box forming side of the blank.

Starting form the blank in the position as shown in fig. 1, the folding panels 15A, B and 16A, B are moved against the inside of second and third lower panels 9, 10 respectively, by folding the seventh, eighth ninth and tenth folding fines 13, 14, 17, 18 accordingly. The first, second and third upper panels 4, 11 and 12 are thereby kept substantially parallel to the first, second and third lower panels 2, 9, 10 and thus brought in a position partly overlapping said lower panels 2, 9, 10, the folding panels being enclosed between said overlapping portions. The panels 15A, B and 16A, B can be glued or otherwise adhered to the inside of the second and third lower panels 9, 10. Similarly for example two portions 23A, 24A of the mid panel section 4B can be glued or otherwise adhered to the first lower panel 2, for example to corner portions 23, 24 of the first lower panel 2, assuming that these corner portions are connected to the panel 2 by tear fines or the same, such that they easily come off from the panel 2 when the box is opened by pulling away the panel 4 with the upper portion U. Similarly the extensions 19, 20 can be adhered to, for example glued to the inside of portions 21A, 22A of the lower panels 9, 10 respectively, assuming that these portions 21A, 22A, are connected to the panel 9, 10 respectively by tear lines 19A, 20A or the same, such that they easily come off from the relevant panels 9, 10 when the box is opened by pulling away the upper portion U. Preferably only the panels 15A, B and 16A, B are glued, preferably to side walls 9, 10 respectively. The corner portions 23, 24 and flaps 19, 20 can then be used for guiding the relevant panels relative to each other during folding of the blank 1, especially during folding along the fold lines 13, 14, 17, 18.

The distances D1 and D2 can be substantially equal. Preferably the distance D2 is substantially the same as distance D3, such that when the folding panels 15, 16 are folded against the lower panels 9, 10 the seventh and eight fold lines 13, 14 are at substantially the same level as the twelfth and fourteenth fold lines 30, 32. Thus in a set up box 100 the seventh fold line 13 and eight fold line 14 for substantially the upper edges of two opposite sides of the box 100. The distance D4 between the lower edge 4C of the section 4B and the first fold line 3A can be chosen such that this is substantially equal to 2*D2, such that in a set up box 100 the lower edge 4C can rest on an inside of a bottom of the box 100.

The third section III can then be folded over the inside of the first section I, along the joined fourth and sixth fold fines 10A, 12A, and the fourth section IV can be folded overt the inside of the second section II and part of the first section I, along the fifteenth fold fine 34, such that an edge zone 46 of the rear panel 33 can be adhered to, for example glued onto the first connecting flap 42. Thus a flat state, ready to set up, folded and preassembled box 100 is obtained. In this flat state it can be easily stored and transported, for example to a filling fine.

When a box 100 is to be used for packaging packages 103 such as e.g. but not limited to tubes, cartridges, boxes, sachets, blisters and the like, the sections I - IV can be pulled away from each other such that a substantially rectangular box shape is obtained, after which the bottom panels 3, 25, 26 and 35 can be folded inward along the appropriate fold lines 3A, 29, 31 and 35, in a known manner, against each other in order to form a bottom 101 of the box 100. The bottom panels can be attached to each other in any suitable way, such as for example using glue or tape. Then through the open upper side 102 of the box the packages can be stacked inside the box 100.

After filling the box 100 with the packages 103 the top panels 5, 27, 28 and 37 and, if available, attachment flap 43 can be folded over the packages along the appropriate fold lines 5A, 30, 32, 38 and 45, and can be attached to each other in any known manner, such as for example by glue or tape. Thus a filled, closed box 100 is obtained for storage and transport of packages.

In for example a store or other retail facility the box 100 can be placed on the bottom 101, for example on a shelf. Then the upper part U of the box 100 is grabbed and pulled away from the lower part L, as shown in fig. 2, 4 and 6, opening the box 100 and exposing the content thereof, especially packages 103 packaged therein. As can be seen in e.g. fig. 2, 4 and 6 the second and third lower panels 9,11 will basically form sides of the lower part L, whereas the rear panel 33 will form the back thereof. At a front 105 of the lower part L the removal of the central mid panel section 4B leaves two side edge portions 2E and a lower portion 2F standing, defining a relatively large take out opening 106 at the front 105 of the bottom portion, whereas the edge portions 2E and lower portion 2F prevent the packages 103 from sliding out at the front 105 too easily.

In embodiments of boxes according to the disclosure having a break out panel part 39, 39A, 39B in the rear panel 33 and/or fourth section IV and/or fifth section V and/or a cut out 41, and/or in side panels 9, 10, preferably at or close to the top of the box 100, removal of the upper part U can be initiated by grabbing the break out panel part 39 and/or a part of the rear panel and/or top of the box 100 adjacent the cut out 41 and pulling it at least partly upward, tearing it free from the further rear panel along the tear line or lines 40, and then pulling further up and/or forward, such that the tear lines 17, 18 will be severed too. Then the central mid panel section 4B can be pulled away from the lower part L. If this section 4B is previously adhered to the lower part this adherence can be severed. Alternatively the panel sections of the lower part to which it is adhered can be torn from the lower part, for example along appropriate tear lines. By way of example such tear lines 23A, 23B are schematically shown in fig. 1 enclosing portions 23 and 24 respectively. Additionally or alternatively the central mid panel section 4B can be clamped against the sections 2E and/or the lower edge portion 2F by the packages 103 packaged inside the box 100.

When the folding panels 15, 16 have been folded inward, enclosed between the upper and lower part U, L, preferably the folding panels 15, 16 are separated from one of these parts L, U, leaving the connecting panels 15, 16 on the other part U, L. Preferably the folding panels 15, 16 remain in the lower part L, on the inside of the side forming panels 9, 10, with the fold fines 13, 14 remaining and the tear fine 17, 18 facing downward, thus keeping an appealing appearance of the free upper edge of the side forming panels 9, 10. Removal of the break out panel section 39 from the rear panel 33 further can have the advantage that the content of the box, such as packages 103 can more easily be grabbed.

Having the edge portion 4C of the mid section 4B rest on the bottom of the box aids in stacking strength of the box 100.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a blank 1 having five sections I - V in stead of four as shown in fig. 1. In this embodiment the first section I has a relatively low first lower panel 2 and a relatively high first upper panel 4. The cut out 6 extends substantially horizontally across the entire width of the section I, extending into the second and third sections II, III on opposite sides thereof. The third and fourth fold fines 9A, 10A connecting the first lower panel 2 with the second and third lower panels 9, 10 respectively are substantially straight. The fifth and sixth fold fines 1 IA, 12A connecting the first upper panel 2 with the second and third upper panels 11, 12 respectively are also substantially straight and extend substantially parallel and preferably substantially coaxially to the third and fourth fold fines 9A, 10A.

Directly adjacent the virtual extension of the third fold fine 9A in the second lower panel 9 the cut out 6 comprises a cutout portion 6A which has a height H6A which may be larger than the height H6 of the directly adjacent portion of the cut out 6 in the first section I, with a guard flap 47 extending down into it from the second upper panel 11. A cutout end section 7 extends from said section 6A upward across the second section, partly straight and partly curved, terminating in an end 7A adjacent a folding flap 15 connecting the second lower panel 9 with the second upper panel 11. Again a seventh fold fine 13 connects the folding panel 15 with the first lower panel and a ninth folding fine 17, which preferably is designed as a tear line, connects the folding panel 15 with the second upper panel 11. In the second upper panel a panel section 23 can be provided, which can be bordered by a tear fine 23A, such that it can relatively easily be torn out of said second upper panel.

The third section III is formed as a mirror image of the second section II as discussed here above.

The fourth section comprises a first rear panel 33A, connected to the second lower panel 9 via a fifteenth fold line 34, substantially straight and preferably substantially parallel to the third fold line 9A. A first break out panel section 39A is provided at an upper edge/corner position of the rear panel 33A, in this embodiment substantially defined by a weakened fine such as a tear fine 40 extending from at or near the cross section of the fifteenth fold line 34 and the seventeenth fold line 38 and/or from near an upper corner of the rear panel 33 to the free edge 46A of the rear panel 33A, spaced apart from the seventeenth fold line 38. A cut out 41 can be provided at or near said weakened line such as said tear line 40, for inserting a finger or multiple fingers as discussed.

The fifth section V is again formed as a mirror image of the fourth section IV, with a second rear panel 33B and a second break out panel 39B and corresponding fold lines and tear hnes as discussed.

In a blank 1 according to fig. 3 the blank 1 can be mirror or line symmetrically relative to a line M across the middle of the first section, parallel to the third and fourth fold lines 9A, 10A. The blank 1 can again be folded substantially as discussed before with respect to the blank of fig. 1, in order to obtain a flat, preassembled box ready to be set up. In this embodiment the first, second and third upper panels 4, 11, 12 are lifted relative to the lower panels 2, 9, 10, by folding the folding panels 15, 16 along the seventh, ninth, eight and tenth fold lines 13, 17 and 14, 18. The fold panels 15, 16 can be adhered, for example glued or taped to the inside of the second and third lower panels 9, 10. Additionally or alternatively the panels 23 can be adhered to said inside of the lower panels 9, 10. The lower edge 4C of the first upper panel 4 will overlap the first lower panel 2, whereas the guard flaps 47 will overlap at least partly the second and third lower panels 9, 10 respectively. The blank 1 can then be folded such that an edge portion 46 of the first rear panel 33A can be glued or taped or otherwise be attached to a corresponding edge portion 46 of the second rear panel 33B. To that end for example the fifth section V is folded against the inside of the third section III, folding along the fold line 44. The second section II and fourth section IV can then be folded against the inside of the first and third section I, III, thus making the edge portions 46 overlap.

When the box 100 is to be used again it can be erected as discussed here above by closing the bottom forming panels 3, 25, 26, 35 and 35A over each other and adhering them by for example glue or tape. The box can then again be filled from above, after which it can be closed by the top forming closing flaps 5, 27, 28, 37A, 37B. Such closed box 100 is shown in fig. 4A. It can be opened easily, for example by grabbing the upper part U at the rear of the box, in the cut outs 41, and tearing the break away portions 39A, B from the rear panels 33A, 33B, where after the further upper part U can be torn from the lower part L by severing the fold fines 17, 18 and/or 23A. The lower edge 4C of the first upper panel 4 can then be pulled out from behind the first lower panel 2. Fig. 4B shows the box 100 in opened condition.

Fig. 5 shows again a blank 1, which is again a five section blank, very much comparable to that of especially fig. 3. The same or similar parts and elements again have the same reference signs. In this embodiment the panels 23 are positioned below the seventh and eight fold fines 13, 14. The cut out end sections 7, 8 can be substantially straight and extend at an angle a relative to the first fold fine 3A, in opposite directions. The angle a can for example be between 30 and 80 degrees, for example between 30 and 75, for example between 40 and 70 degrees. This can increase accessibility of packages 103 packaged in the box 100 after opening. In this embodiment the lower edge 47A of the guard flap 47 can be at substantially the same level as the lower edge 4C of the first upper panel 4, such that in embodiments it too can rest on the bottom 101. The guard panel 47 can be relatively wide. Fig. 6 shows the box 100 formed from a blank 1 of fig. 5, in closed and in opened position.

In blanks 1 having five sections I - V, as for example shown in fig. 3 and 5, the blank 1 can have two rear panels 33A, 33B, adhered to each other by an edge portion 46, such that a seam is formed in a midsection of a rear of the box, preferably a two layer seam formed by said overlapping edge portions 46. Such seam 46A, especially a double layer seam 46Acan further aid in stacking strength of the box 100. Increasing stacking strength by for example the ends 11B, 12B resting on ends 9B, 10B, said edge 4C resting on the bottom 101, said guard panel 47 resting on the bottom 101 and/or said seam 46A can all aid in allowing a reduction in material strength, for example reducing material thickness, relative to a box not having such supporting provisions, without negatively influencing or even improving the overall strength of the box and especially the stacking strength thereof.

Embodiments of boxes according to the disclosure having a break out panel part 39 or parts 39A, B in the rear panel 33 and/or fourth section IV and/or the fifth panel V and/or a cut out 41, could be used such that when closed by tape 50 , for example extending over adjacent longitudinal edges of outer upper closing flaps, an end of a strip of tape 50 used for such closing could be adhered to said break out panel part 39 or parts 39A, B. This has the advantage that when removing the upper part U of the box the tape 50 is removed with it, without itself having to be torn off the lower part L. Such can for example be understood from fig. 5 and 6A. Similarly the closing flaps in the other embodiments shown could be chosen such that said adjacent longitudinal edges of the outer closing flaps, i.e. the flaps which substantially form the outer upper surface of the box when closed, extend substantially perpendicular to the break out panel 39, 39A, 39B, for the same purpose. This could mean that for example in fig. 1 and 3 the panels 27 and 28 could be used as outer closing flaps, folding over the flaps 5 and 37 as schematically shown in fig. 2D. Similarly a box could in embodiments have tear out parts 15C, 16C in one or more side panels 9, 10 similar to or formed by portions like portions 21 A, 22A shown in Fig. 1, such as for example near the top edges of the side panels 9, 10 between flaps 15A and B and 16A and B respectively, connected to the side panels 9, 10 by tear lines. Again in such embodiment ends of closing tape 50 could be adhered to said tear out parts, such that the box is properly closed by said tape 50 but the tape 50 is easily removed with the upper part 4, without having to be severed and/or removed itself. Fig. 2C and 2D schematically show part of such embodiments with tape 50. More general, a box according to the disclosure can be provided in one or more of side and front and/or rear panel(s) with a tear out portion, such as a tear out panel, in the blank for such box connected to the relevant panel by at least one tear line or element, which in a set up and closed box is torn off and/or out of said relevant side, front or rear panel or panel part and is removed with an upper part 4 of the box, wherein when closed by tape 50 an end of said tape 50 is adhered to said tear out portion and not to the panel in and/or on which said tear out portion is provided. The same embodiments can also be closed in a known manner by glue, such as but not limited to hot or cold melt.

Fig. 7 A shows in side view part of a box 100 as set up, especially a rib 110 formed by the fourth fold line 10A and the sixth fold line 12A. In fig. 7B the same portion is shown in partial cross section. The lower portion of the first upper panel 4 and the guard flap 47 can be seen extending against the inner surfaces of the first lower panel 2 and the third lower panel respectively. The lower edge 4C of the first upper panel 4 can rest on the inside of the bottom 101. Additionally or alternatively the lower end 12B of the sixth fold line 12A can rest on and be supported by an upper end 10B of the fourth fold line 10A, and the corresponding lower end 11B of the fourth fold line 11A can rest on the upper end 9B of the third fold line 9A. In advantageous embodiments these lower ends 11B, 12B are forced in such position by the width W4 of the first upper panel 4 being at least substantially equal to the width W2 of the first lower panel 2, such that by positioning the lower end of the first upper panel 4 and the guard flaps 47 against the inside of the lower panels 2, 9 and 10, tension is obtained forcing the corners 11B, 12B outward over the ends 9B, 10B. Both the ends 11B, 12B resting on the ends 9B, 10B and the lower edge 4C resting on the bottom 101 can aid, independently or in combination, to increased strength of the box 100, especially vertical loading capacity and thus stackabihty of the boxes 100. Moreover this tension can aid in better closure of the box 100.

In this disclosure a suitable material for the blank can be corrugated paper board or carton. Alternatively the blank can be made of massive cardboard or any other suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or sandwich board made of layers of the same or different material, for example layers of cardboard and plastic. Fold lines can be provided for in any suitable manner, for example by scoring, creasing or by removal of material, locally weakening the material against bending, or as living hinges.

The disclosure is by no means limited to the embodiments specifically described and shown in the drawings. Many variations therefor are possible and are also considered disclosed herein, including but not limited to all combinations and permutations of parts of the embodiments as shown and described, which are all considered having been disclosed herein. In a blank and box according to the disclosure the bottom and/or top may be formed differently, for example as quick lock or ready lock bottoms, self locking bottom or the like, as is known in the art. The blank can be folded in a different manner, for example by folding the folding panels outward in stead of inward, or by folding the lower part of the first upper panel 4 against the outside of the first lower panel 2, folding the folding panels inward. Although it is advantageous to have a break out panel in the rear of the box, such could be omitted. The width and/or height of the various panels can obviously be chosen depending on a desired size of the box. Further panels can be added, for example for providing divisions inside the box. Preferably a blank according to the present disclosure is made out of a single sheet of material. However, in embodiments the blank can be assembled from two ort more separate blanks. For example a blank forming the upper part and one forming the lower part. These and other amendments are considered to have been disclosed herein.

Claims

A blank in a folded, at least partially assembled form, provided with a first, lower part and a second, upper part, the upper part being connected to the lower part by at least one folding panel placed between a panel part of the first part and a panel portion of the second portion, wherein the panel portion of the first portion is positioned such that when a box is erected from said blank, the panel portion of the second portion is positioned in the box such that the second, upper portion is at least partially extends on an inner side of the first, lower part.

A blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second part is provided with at least one break-out panel part, at least partially enclosed by a tear line, connected to the other of the first and the second part.

A blank as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the blank is provided with a recess separating at least a first upper panel from a first lower panel, the recess having two end portions terminating at two respective folding panels between a second upper and lower, respectively panel and third upper and lower panels.

Blank as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein: the first, lower part comprises a first, lower panel, a second lower panel and a third lower panel, wherein the second and third lower panels are on opposite sides with the first lower panel connected via a third and a fourth folding line, respectively, the second, upper part comprises a first, upper panel, a second upper panel and a third upper panel, the second and third upper panels being connected to the first upper panel on opposite sides via a fifth and a sixth fold line, respectively, each fold panel is provided between two substantially parallel fold lines, between the second, top panel and the second, bottom panel, and the third, top panel and the third, bottom panel, respectively, wherein the height of each folding panel measured between each pair of said two folding lines is selected such that a lower edge of the first upper panel substantially coincides with a first fold line between the first lower panel and a first bottom forming panel connected thereto, such that when a box is erected from the blank, said bottom edge will rest on said bottom forming panel.

5. Blank as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein: the first, lower part comprises a first, lower panel, a second lower panel and a third lower panel, wherein the second and third lower panels are on opposite sides with the first lower panel connected via a third and a fourth folding line, respectively, the second, upper part comprises a first, upper panel, a second upper panel and a third upper panel, the second and third upper panels being connected to the first upper panel on opposite sides via a fifth and a sixth fold line, respectively, wherein when a box is erected from the blank, a lower end of the fifth and sixth fold lines rest on an upper end of the third and fourth fold lines, respectively.

Blank as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the second and third panels is provided with a protective panel at a lower edge thereof, near the respective fifth and sixth fold line, which rests against an inner side of the second and third lower panel, respectively.

Blank as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the protective panels has a lower edge approximately coincident with an eleventh and twelfth fold line, wherein the eleventh and twelfth fold line connect a second and third bottom forming panel to the second and third bottom panel respectively .

8. Blank as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the blank comprises at least one rear panel, wherein at least one break-out panel part is provided in said at least one rear panel, near an upper edge thereof, wherein preferably in or near said at least one break-out panel part at least one recess is provided for engaging said at least one break-out panel part.

9. Blank as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the blank comprises two rear panels, glued together at an edge part, such that a hem is formed in a middle section of a rear side of the box, preferably a two-layer hem.

Blank as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the or each folding panel is connected to an adjacent panel or panel part via at least one folding line which is at least partially designed as a tear line, preferably a perforation line, more preferably a folding line which pointing downwards is designed as such a tear line.

A blank in a flat state for forming a blank according to any one of the preceding claims.

A box set up from a blank according to any one of the preceding claims.

A carton comprising a front, two opposite sides, a rear, a top, and a bottom, wherein: the front comprises at least a first top panel adjacent the top and at least a first bottom panel adjacent the bottom; the sides comprise at least a second and third top panel and a second and third bottom panel, respectively; the rear comprises at least one rear panel; wherein: the first lower panel at least partially covers a lower portion of the first upper panel, on an outside thereof; the second lower panel at least partially overlaps an outside of the second upper panel and the third lower panel at least partially overlaps an outside of the third upper panel; a connecting panel is connected to the second upper and the second lower panel and is folded between overlapping parts thereof; a connecting panel is connected to the third upper and the third lower panel and is folded between overlapping parts thereof; wherein a bottom edge of the first top panel rests on the bottom and / or a bottom edge of a protective panel connected to or part of the second or third top panel rests on the bottom and / or a bottom end of rib portion of the box formed by a fold line between the first and second upper panels rests on an upper end of a rib portion of the box formed by a fold line between the first and second lower panels.

A box according to claim 13, wherein the rear panel comprises at least one breakout panel portion near the top, connected to the further rear panel via at least one tear line.

A box according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the box is set up from a single blank.