NZ628779A - Containers and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A container formed from a blank comprising a base 2, a flap sequence of two indexing wall flaps 3 extending from each of two opposed sides of the base 2, the first indexing wall flap 4 of each flap sequence being connected to the base 2 at a first fold line 6, the second indexing wall 5 of each flap sequence being connected to its associated first indexing wall flap by a second fold line 7 parallel to its the first fold line 6, where the container has the second indexing wall flap 5 of each flap sequence 3 inward of its associated first indexing wall flap 4, a non-indexing wall flap 8 extending from each of the other two sides of the base 2. Each of the non-indexing wall flaps 8 includes a pair of locking apertures 9. Each indexing wall flap sequence 3 has at each end a first extension flap beyond a third fold line 11 extending substantially normal to the second fold line 7, and a second extension flap extending from the first extension flap beyond a fourth fold line extending normal to the second and third fold lines. One of the first extension flap or the second extension flap includes a locking tab 29. At least a portion of the non-indexing wall flap is sandwiched between the first and second extension flaps, and the locking tab 29 passed through the locking aperture 9. Above a transition between each associated first and second indexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there is defined at least one indexing projection. The projection is indexable by an identical container having a cut or aperture in its base 2 for that purpose. Each fourth fold line includes at least one cut portion defining a locating aperture. The non indexing wall includes on an upper edge, upwardly projecting locating projections extending into or through a respective said locating aperture.

Description

COMPLETE ICATION CONTAINERS AND APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention s to containers. More particularly, but not solely, the present invention relates to containers erectable from a planar blank. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to stack ble containers constructed from a laminate blank that includes at least one corrugated core layer.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Containers in the form of erectable trays, cases or the like from blanks are known for use in the packaging of goods. Frequently such containers are formed from a single blank cut from a sheet of a te material which includes at least one corrugated core layer defining a flute run direction. An example of such a material is a paperboard laminate which includes outer (usually kraft) paper liners having interposed adhesively therebetween a corrugated medium also of paper. Such corrugated medium can be of one or more contiguous layers.

Other forms of such materials may include two separated corrugated layers (each of one or more sheets of paper). For example a double cushion corrugated board is one having three substantially planar paper sheets, each adjacent pair of sheets having interposed therebetween a corrugated medium of one or more sheets of paper.

Preferably such double cushion material has the flute run direction of each ated layer running parallel.

Such corrugated board materials with a flute run direction have a stacking strength lity greater where the flutes run vertically as d to horizontally.

Various forms of container have been d to take advantage of such ionality of the al. Some make good use of the material in this respect such as our M product range (see New Zealand Patent Specification No. 270912) or the P84TM product form of IberoAmericana. Others may make less effective use of such directionality.

The present invention relates to an improved container of a kind where a blank of such a material is to be erected to a container form which is to have stack indexing capability. The present invention recognises an advantage to be derived from indexing one on top of another reliant on an underlying cut edge transverse to the flute run direction.

In our New Zealand Patent Specification No. 270912 we se a tray like product range erectable from a single piece blank which has given rise to the DEFORTM t range. The full content of that specification is here included by way of reference.

The present invention in one aspect is directed to tray or container forms that are a t of the aforementioned DEFORTM product range or which are capable of being offered as a potential replacement therefor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention in respect of some aspects of the invention to provide blanks and containers erectable from such blanks having novel aspects over aforementioned tray or container forms.

The present invention has as an object therefore the provision of such containers or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In one aspect the invention broadly consists in a container formed from a blank comprising: a base, a flap ce of two indexing wall flaps extending from each of two opposed sides of said base, the first indexing wall flap of each flap sequence being connected to the base at a first fold line, the second indexing wall of each flap sequence being ted to its ated first indexing wall flap by a second fold line parallel to its said first fold line, wherein said container has said second indexing wall flap of each flap sequence inwardly of its associated first indexing wall flap, a non indexing wall flap ing from each of the other two sides of said base, each said non indexing wall flap including a pair of locking res, each indexing wall flap sequence having at each end thereof: i) a first extension flap beyond a third fold line extending substantially normal to said second fold line, ii) a second extension flap extending from said first extension flap beyond a fourth fold line extending normal to said second and third fold lines, wherein one of the first extension flap or the second extension flap includes a locking tab, wherein at least a portion of said non indexing wall flap is sandwiched n said first and second ion flaps, and said locking tab passing through said locking aperture, and wherein, above a tion between each associated first and second indexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there is defined at least one indexing projection, indexable by an identical container having a cut or aperture in its base for that e, and each said fourth fold line includes at least one cut portion defining a locating aperture, and said non indexing wall includes on an upper edge, upwardly ting locating projections extending into or through a respective said locating aperture.

According to another aspect, the other of said first or second extension flap includes a cut-out section that, when the container is erected, is nt to the locking aperture, to allow the locking tab to pass through the locking aperture.

According to another aspect, the first extension flap es a locking tab.

According to r aspect said locking tabs include at least one barb configured to inhibit l of said locking tab once said tab has passed through said locking According to another aspect said locking tab includes two barbs on opposing sides of said locking tab.

According to another aspect each said flap extension s from said first indexing wall flap of said flap sequence.

According to another aspect a further extension flap of each second indexing wall flap at least in part triangulates (in a straight, curved and/or other manner) a corner to the non indexing wall flap.

According to another aspect said further extension flap defines in conjunction with part of said first indexing wall flap, at the corner and with part of the adjacent non-indexing wall, a column like vertical load ting structure.

According to another aspect each indexing projection is flanked on either side, in its indexing wall, by a hinging transition between a said first indexing wall flap and a second indexing wall flap.

According to another aspect said further extension flap tucks in between a respective said non indexing wall and said second extension flap.

According to another aspect said further extension flap is onally adhesively secured to said non indexing wall.

According to r aspect the blank is a laminate ing at least one corrugated core layer defining a flute run direction, and at least at about the level of said g transition, further from each hinging region and the indexing projection, there is upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps of each indexing wall, load supporting cut edges of the laminate, such cut edges being transverse to the flute run direction.

According to another aspect the blank is a laminate including at least one corrugated core layer defining a flute run direction, and above the level of said hinging transition, further from each hinging region and the ng projection, there is upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps of each flap sequence, load supporting cut edges of the laminate, such cut edges being transverse to the flute run ion.

According to another aspect each said fourth fold line comprises two substantially parallel fold lines of approximately ninety degrees and spaced by substantially at least one laminate thickness.

According to another aspect said substantially parallel fold lines define a hinge support ledge. ing to another aspect said base is rectangular having opposing long sides and opposing short sides, and said non indexing walls depend from said short sides.

According to another aspect said base includes a plurality of indexing apertures configured to receive a respective indexing projection from an identical container beneath.

According to another aspect each said flap sequence and each said indexing wall is angled slightly s of normal with respect to said base.

According to another aspect said indexing projections are contiguous with said first indexing wall flap and said second indexing wall flap and comprise a fold line at the uppermost extent.

According to another aspect said indexing projections comprise a fold line at the uppermost , and only one end is contiguous with one of said first indexing wall flap and said second indexing wall flap, and the other end of said indexing projection es at least one retaining projection tucked between said first indexing wall flap and said second indexing wall flap to retain said ng projection.

According to another aspect said indexing projections are also adhesively secured to said flap ce.

According to r aspect there is more than one indexing wall projection per indexing wall.

According to another aspect a cut edge is defined between each projection and a corner.

According to another aspect each second indexing wall flap sits on a ushed region of the base. ing to another aspect a scallop is interposed between each said indexing projection.

According to another aspect the invention consists in blank substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the anying drawings.

According to another aspect the invention consists in blank substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying gs.

According to r aspect the invention consists in blank substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

According to another aspect the invention consists in stack of stack indexed containers in accordance with in any one of the previous clauses.

According to another aspect the invention consists in a substantially planar flat blank as herein described where each said second indexing wall is preglued to said first indexing wall.

In some forms of the present invention the non cutting fully of the blank al is a e of full cutting along certain parts of the transition to leave some linking or bridging regions uncut.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or es, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known lents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

DEFINITIONS As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein the term “(s)” following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.

As used herein the term “stack indexable” in respect of containers, preferably but not necessarily, refers to containers of a kind having projections able to be inserted into openings or scallops of a pack above. Nevertheless other stack indexing forms are plated as being within the scope of the present invention. Thus the term “stack indexable” is to be interpreted broadly in respect of any form of ner able to be stacked one above another in an d stack and where plural stacks on a pallet (with a slip sheet supported or not) are to be used in close proximity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the container of Figure 1 is constructed. s 3a-f are illustrations of the steps for forming the ner of Figure 1 from the blank of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is perspective view of a container according to another embodiment.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the container of Figure 4 is constructed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container according to yet another embodiment.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank from which the container of Figure 6 is constructed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The containers may utilise suitable corrugated paper board and adhesive such as that used in our DEFOR™ range. The blank diagrams show the preferred flute run ion in order to se al stacking strength of the indexing walls. Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated from the drawings that the container has symmetry.

Therefore, parts of the description and/or drawings may refer specifically to only one wall or flap for example. r, it is to be understood that this is for illustrative es and a similar (symmetric) part may exist at another part of the container.

With reference to Figure 1, a container 1 ing to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Container 1 includes a base 2 that is ably rectangular but may alternatively be square. The container 1 includes a flap sequence 3, of two indexing wall flaps 4,5 ing from each of two opposed sides of base 2 at fold line 6. The second indexing wall flap 5 is connected to its associated first indexing wall flap 4, via a second fold line 7. The specific folding sequence to form container 1 from a blank will be described in more detail later.

On the other two opposing sides of base 2, are non indexing wall flaps 8. Non indexing wall flaps 8 are also connected to base 2 along a fold line. Non indexing wall flap 8 es a pair of g res 9. Preferably these locking apertures are d at the fold line connecting the flap with the base so that the aperture is adjacent the fold line. Alternatively, locking apertures 9 may be located nearer the fold line or alternatively still, locking apertures 9 may be located elsewhere on non indexing wall flaps 8. In the most red embodiments, non indexing wall flaps 8 each include at least a pair of locking apertures 9 (i.e. one for each associated corner of the ner). Alternatively, non indexing wall flaps 8 may include more than one locking aperture 9 for each corner of the container 1.

Each indexing wall flap sequence 3 includes a first extension flap 10 beyond a third fold line 11. Third fold line 11 when erected, extending ntially normal to the second fold line 7. Each first extension flap 10 includes a locking tab 14, having one or more barbs 16 configured to t removal of g tab 14 once it has passed through a respective locking aperture 9 in non indexing wall flap 8. In most preferred embodiments, locking tabs 14 include two barbs 16 on opposing sides of the locking tab 14. It will be appreciated that the main body of locking tab 14 is sized to substantially correspond with locking apertures 9. Once through a respective locking aperture 9, and with ) 16 deployed (ie in plane with locking tab 14), the locking tab 14 is prevented from passing back through locking aperture 9 thereby fixing the indexing wall to the non indexing wall. The second extension flap 12 includes a cut-out section 35 which is adjacent to the locking aperture 9 when the container is erected, in order to allow the locking tab 14 to pass through the locking aperture 9.

Each indexing wall flap also includes a second extension flap 12 extending from the first extension flap 10, beyond a fourth fold line 13. When erected into container 1, fold line 13 is substantially normal to the second and third fold lines 7 and 11 respectively, such that at least a portion of non indexing wall flap 8 is sandwiched between the first and second extension flaps 10 and 12 respectively. Preferably, fold line 13 comprises two substantially parallel fold lines folding h approximately 90 degrees each and spaced by approximately the thickness of non indexing wall 8 (i.e. substantially one laminate thickness). The spaced folds of fold line 13 define a hinge support ledge 20. Hinge support ledge 20 preferably includes one or more ng apertures 21, adapted to receive and locate a ponding tab projection 22 extending from an upper edge of non indexing walls 8. Hinge support ledges, are one structure that can be used to support another container, indexed with, and on top of container 1.

When erected, first and second extension flaps 10,12 ch a respective corner of the non indexing wall flap 8, while the tab projections 22 locate within or h locating apertures 21. Locking tabs 14 pass through locking apertures 9 to secure the container together. The resulting container, can be hand erected and forms a sufficiently rigid form without any additional fixation. In the most preferred embodiments, there is a space 31 between the respective first extension flaps 10 of a side of the container in order to provide improved air flow of two stacks of containers whose ends walls (8) are adjacent each other.

Each indexing wall sequence 3 es at least one indexing projection 15 above the tion between each associated first and second indexing wall flap 4, 5. The indexing projection 15 is indexable by an identical container stacked on top by one or more indexing projection apertures 19 located in base 2. In most preferred ments, container 1 includes four ng projections 15 (two per ng wall sequence 3) and corresponding indexing projection apertures 19. It is also most preferred that the indexing projections 15 are provided on the long side of container 1 (when base 2 is rectangular). Alternatively, indexing projections may be provided on the short side or alternatively still, on both sides.

Alternatively, it may be preferred that onal glue fixation is employed to further enhance rigidity of the container 1. In particular, in one embodiment it is advantageous to pre glue the first and second indexing walls 4,5 together (with indexing projections) and ship the substantially flat blanks in that form. These pre glued (but substantially flat) blanks can then be hand d onsite into a container with improved Preferably each indexing projection 15 is flanked on either side by a hinging transition 23 between the first and second indexing walls 4,5. In the most preferred embodiments, hinging transitions 23 immediately flank indexing projections 15 on each side. That is, the hinging transition is adjacent the ng projection. In addition, it is preferred that the region of fold line 7 also includes one or more load supporting cut edges 24, upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps of each indexing wall, and defining a supporting surface erse to the flute run direction at about or slightly above the level of hinging transitions 23. For example, the cut edges 24 shown in Figure 1 may be approximately 1-2mm above the upper extent of hinging transitions 23.

It is anticipated that indexing projection 15, may take a number of different forms. For example in Figures 1 to 3, indexing projection 15 is a pop-up type. The pop up ng projection 15, is formed from a cut out 25 in second indexing wall 5, and is contiguous with the first indexing wall flap 4. Projection 15, is pulled up from the cut out and comprises a fold line 26 at the uppermost extent. Cutout 25 is preferably shaped to define retaining projections 27 which are tucked between the first indexing wall flap 4 and the second indexing wall flap 5 to retain the indexing projection when popped up. In one alternative embodiment, pop up indexing projections may be additionally adhesively fixed and ably shipped pre-glued with the first and second indexing wall flaps 4,5 as described earlier. This ment has an advantage of reduced material for forming the blank.

In another alternative form of the invention as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the indexing projections are contiguous with the first indexing wall flap and the second indexing wall flap and comprise a fold line 26 at the uppermost extent. It will be appreciated that this embodiment orates the hinge between the indexing wall flaps 4 and 5, into the indexing projection. Accordingly, the load support cut edges 24 extend right up to the indexing projections 33.

This embodiment has advantages in automated processing e the indexing projection structure 33 is less prone to damage as the blanks are passed along an automated cutting and/or pre gluing and/or folding line. Any features that stick out of the blank can cause the machinery to jam, for example during blank ng and/or during pre gluing and/or folding.

In yet another alternative form of the invention as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the indexing projections are of a single thickness. The indexing tion 34 are cut out of the first indexing wall flap 4 and extend substantially in plane (and are integral with) with the second indexing wall flap 5. The indexing projection 34 projects above the tion between indexing walls 4 and 5 and is of a single laminate thickness.

In a similar manner to the embodiment of Figure 1, each indexing projection 34 is preferably flanked on either side by a g transition 23 between the first and second indexing walls 4, 5. In the most preferred embodiment, hinging transitions 23 ately flank indexing projection 34 on each side. The upper surface of indexing walls 4,5 provides load supporting cut edges for a like box stacked on top.

With this single thickness style indexing projection 34, it is not necessary for the indexing walls to be inclined or angled inwardly in order to line up with corresponding indexing projection apertures 9 and 10. Preferably, the indexing walls are substantially vertical.

In an alternative form of the invention, the second extension flap 12 includes a locking tab 14, having one or more barbs 16 configured to inhibit removal of locking tab 14 once it has passed through a respective locking aperture 9 in non indexing wall flap 8.

The first extension flap 10 ably es a cut-out section 35 which is adjacent to the locking aperture 9 when the container is erected, in order to allow the locking tab 14 to pass through the locking aperture 9.

In the most preferred embodiments a further extension flap 17 is also provided depending from each second indexing wall flap 5. When the container 1 is erected, further ion flap 17 triangulates each corner of the container (from the indexing wall to the non indexing wall). While it is preferred that the further extension flap 17 triangulates the corner in a straight line, it is anticipated that it may be curved or otherwise shaped. In order to secure the triangulated extension flap 17, a portion 18 is tucked between the second extension flap 12 and a respective non indexing wall 8. In other embodiments, the triangulating corner features may be absent.

While in some preferred embodiments, container 1 is able to be d by hand (and including no additional ve), it may be preferred to optionally provide mental fixing of ion flaps 10 and/or 12 to respective non indexing wall flaps 8. In other ments, further extension flap 17, 18 may be optionally adhesively fixed to non indexing wall flap 8.

It is also noted that further locating projections 29 may be provided on one or more of the second extension flaps 12 and the second ng wall flap 5. Where provided, these locating projections 29 fit into correspondingly sized and shaped apertures 30 in base 2. It will be appreciated that these features help retain the flap elements in position when container 1 is fully assembled.

Of particular importance to the present ion is the efficient use of material in forming the blank. For example, the ion of first and second extension flaps 10, 12 respectively from the first indexing wall flap reduces the amount of board ed compared to many other designs. In particular, the blank may be narrower with this present design because the fold over panels come from the longitudinal direction of the material (28).

It will be appreciated that this type of indexing ner 1 is primarily (but not exclusively) intended for use in packing produce that is typically stored and transported in a refrigerated environment. As a result, it is extremely important to optimise cool air flow around a stack of ners 1 (in order to cool produce as quickly as possible initially etc). To this end, it is preferred that indexing walls 8 and/or non indexing flap sequences 3, include one or more cut outs or scallops 32, in order to improve air flow in and out of the interior space of container 1.

A further advantage of the present container 1 is that the non indexing wall 8 provides a venting aperture in a stack of ners via gap 31 (shown in figure 1), formed between first extension flaps 10. In many known containers, the non indexing wall is ntially planar (at least dly) and therefore there is no provision for a venting ‘chimney’ to be formed between two adjacent stacks of containers ed endto-end ), as there is with container 1.

It will be appreciated that container walls including indexing projections 15, 33 may be slightly inwardly angled to ensure that the indexing tions 15, 33 align and properly index with corresponding indexing apertures 19 of an cal container stacked above. In other embodiments, the indexing walls may be ntially vertical rather than slightly inwardly angled. It will be appreciated that the desirability of each alternative will in part depend on the style of indexing projection. For example, it is most preferred that the containers of Figures 1 and 4 have ly ed ng walls, while the container of Figure 6 (with indexing projections 34) most preferably has substantially vertical indexing walls.

In another alternative embodiment, the first and second extension flaps may depend from the second indexing wall flaps. Alternatively still, the container may have the second indexing wall flap of each flap sequence located (after folding) outwardly of its associated first indexing wall flap.

However, it is most preferred that the container 1 has the second indexing wall flap 5 of each flap sequence 3 inwardly of its associated first indexing wall flap 4. This results in a container where the outer perimeter of the container is mostly contiguous with the base (except for the ion flaps). Particularly when indexing wall flaps 4,5 are pre glued, this results in a container with very good rigidity.

Assembly With reference to Figure 3 a preferred folding sequence for the container 1 of Figure 1 will be described in more detail. It will be readily understood from the illustrations when the bed operations are completed for each corner of container 1.

Figure 3A shows the flat blank of Figure 1 and illustrates the preferred core flute run ion 28.

With reference to Figure 3B, r extension flap 17(and tuck 18) are folded downwards along parallel fold lines (each by approximately 45 degrees). At the same time, pop up indexing projections 15 are removed from cut outs 25 and folded along line 26. The ng projections may be optionally adhesively fixed in the position shown.

In the next step illustrated by Figure 3C, the second indexing wall flap 5 is folded over onto first indexing wall flap 4 along fold line 7. It will be appreciated that indexing wall flap 4 is connected to indexing wall flap 5 via a plurality of hinging portions 23 as previously described.

In the next step illustrated in Figure 3D, non indexing wall flaps 8 are folded upwards with t to the base along fold lines.

In the next step illustrated in Figure 3E, the ng wall flap sequence 3 is folded upwards along fold line 6, so that first and second indexing wall flaps 4 and 5 are substantially vertical. Further extension flaps 17 are located in the interior of the container and triangulate each corner. In this position, first and second extension flaps ,12 respectively, t outwards beyond the perimeter of the container 1 as shown.

In the next step illustrated in Figure 3F, each first extension flap 10 is folded about fold line 11 to form a corner of container 1. This brings locking tabs 14 into ent with locking apertures 9 on each corner. To secure the walls together, each locking tab 14 is pushed through a respective locking aperture 9 so that barbs 14 inhibit removal.

In the final step (shown by the ted container of Figure 1), each second extension flap 12 is folded over the non indexing wall 8 so that it is positioned inwards of the container 1. The second extension flap 12 is folded about fold line 13. As shown in the figures, the fold line 13 of the most preferred embodiment comprises two parallel fold lines spaced by approximately the width of non ng wall 8. Once folded over, second extension flaps 12 capture portion 18 of the r extension flap and secures it.

It will be appreciated that the assembly sequence for the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 is substantially the same as that described above. In this embodiment, indexing projections 15 are formed as second indexing flap 5 is folded onto first indexing flap 4 at hinging top fold 26. Similarly, the container of Figure 6 is also assembled substantially the same way, save for the formation of the indexing projections 34.

Claims (28)

We claim:

1. A container formed from a blank comprising: a base, a flap sequence of two indexing wall flaps extending from each of two d sides of said base, the first indexing wall flap of each flap sequence being connected to the base at a first fold line, the second indexing wall of each flap sequence being connected to its associated first indexing wall flap by a second fold line parallel to its said first fold line, wherein said container has said second indexing wall flap of each flap sequence inwardly of its associated first indexing wall flap, a non indexing wall flap extending from each of the other two sides of said base, each said non indexing wall flap including a pair of g apertures, each indexing wall flap sequence having at each end thereof: i) a first ion flap beyond a third fold line extending substantially normal to said second fold line, ii) a second extension flap ing from said first ion flap beyond a fourth fold line ing normal to said second and third fold lines, wherein one of the first extension flap or the second extension flap includes a locking tab, wherein at least a portion of said non indexing wall flap is sandwiched between said first and second extension flaps, and said locking tab passing h said locking re, and wherein, above a transition between each associated first and second indexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there is defined at least one indexing projection, indexable by an identical container having a cut or aperture in its base for that purpose, and each said fourth fold line includes at least one cut portion defining a locating aperture, and said non indexing wall includes on an upper edge, upwardly projecting locating projections extending into or through a respective said locating aperture.

2. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the other of said first or second extension flap es a cut-out section that, when the container is erected, is adjacent to the locking aperture, to allow the locking tab to pass through the locking aperture.

3. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the first extension flap includes a locking tab.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said g tabs include at least one barb configured to inhibit removal of said g tab once said tab has passed through said locking re.

5. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, n said locking tab includes two barbs on opposing sides of said locking tab.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein each said first flap extension extends from said first indexing wall flap of said flap sequence.

7. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein each ng projection is flanked on either side, in its indexing wall, by a hinging transition between a said first indexing wall flap and a second ng wall flap.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein a further extension flap of each second indexing wall flap at least in part triangulates, in a straight, curved and/or other manner, a corner to the non indexing wall flap.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein said further extension flap defines in conjunction with part of said first indexing wall flap, at the corner and with part of the adjacent non-indexing wall, a column like vertical load supporting ure.

10. A container as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein said further extension flap tucks in between a respective said non indexing wall and said second extension flap.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, n said further extension flap is additionally adhesively secured to said non indexing wall.

12. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the blank is a laminate including at least one corrugated core layer defining a flute run direction, and at least at about the level of said hinging transition, further from each g region and the indexing projection, there is upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps of each indexing wall, load supporting cut edges of the laminate, such cut edges being transverse to the flute run direction.

13. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the blank is a te including at least one corrugated core layer defining a flute run ion, and above the level of said hinging transition, further from each hinging region and the indexing projection, there is upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps of each flap sequence, load supporting cut edges of the laminate, such cut edges being transverse to the flute run direction.

14. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein each said fourth fold line comprises two substantially parallel fold lines of approximately ninety degrees and spaced by substantially at least one laminate thickness.

15. A container as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said substantially parallel fold lines define a hinge support ledge.

16. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said base is rectangular having opposing long sides and opposing short sides, and said non indexing walls depend from said short sides.

17. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, n said base includes a ity of indexing apertures ured to receive a respective indexing projection from an identical container beneath.

18. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein each said flap sequence and each said indexing wall is angled slightly inwards of normal with respect to said base.

19. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said indexing projections are contiguous with said first ng wall flap and said second indexing wall flap and comprise a fold line at the uppermost extent.

20. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said indexing projections comprise a fold line at the ost extent, and only one end is uous with one of said first indexing wall flap and said second indexing wall flap, and the other end of said ng projection includes at least one retaining projection tucked between said first indexing wall flap and said second indexing wall flap to retain said indexing projection.

21. A ner as claimed in claim 20, wherein said indexing projections are also adhesively secured to said flap sequence.

22. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 n said indexing tions are uous with said second indexing wall flap, and cut out from said first indexing wall flap.

23. A container as claimed in claim 22, wherein said indexing projections are of a single laminate thickness.

24. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, n there is more than one indexing wall tion per indexing wall.

25. A ner as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein a cut edge is defined between each projection and a corner.

26. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein each second indexing wall flap sits on a pre-crushed region of the base.

27. A container as claimed in claim 24, n a scallop is osed between each said indexing projection.

28. A blank substantially as herein described with reference to